T E N E B R Æ

M A T I N S & L A U D S
O F T H E
S A C R E D T R I D U U M

From the Roman Office


T E N E B R Æ

M A T I N S & L A U D S
O F T H E
S A C R E D T R I D U U M

From the Roman Office

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface iii
Prayers before and after the Divine Office iv

Maundy Thursday 1 - 24
Matins, First Nocturn 1
Matins, Second Nocturn 7
Matins, Third Nocturn 13
Lauds 18

Good Friday 25 - 47
Matins, First Nocturn 25
Matins, Second Nocturn 31
Matins, Third Nocturn 36
Lauds 41

Holy Saturday 49 - 66
Matins, First Nocturn 49
Matins, Second Nocturn 53
Matins, Third Nocturn 58
Lauds 61

i
 PREFACE

T
E N E B R Æ , meaning ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows,’ is the name given to the combined Offices of
Matins and Lauds during the Sacred Triduum: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy
Saturday. On these dark and most solemn days of the suffering, death, and burial of our
Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Mother Church takes these two Offices of the night vigils and
morning praises, which on every other day of the year are full of anticipation and joy at the
return of light at dawn, and changes them into painful lamentations for her crucified
Bridegroom. The words that Holy Church puts on our lips at these Tenebræ services comprise some of the
finest and most perfect meditations on the Passion of our Lord, since they are chiefly from Holy Scripture:
the books of the Law, the writings of the Prophets, and especially the Psalms of David. Thus do they lead
us with care through the Old Testament prefigurements of Christ’s Passion and Cross, bringing us to an
ever deeper understanding and love of the God-Man Who fulfilled the will of His Father by giving Himself
up for our salvation.

Tenebræ are marked by special observances that heighten their spirit of sorrow. In the sanctuary, six
candles of unbleached beeswax are lighted upon the altar, as at solemn services for the dead. A large
triangular candlestick, called the hearse, bears fifteen lighted candles, likewise of unbleached beeswax, on
the epistle side of the sanctuary. In the Office, Holy Church lays aside her usual chants of joy and praise
with which she adorns her prayers on all other days: there is no Domine, labia mea (O Lord, open my lips)
nor Deus, in adjutorium (O God, come to my assistance) to begin the Hours, and the Gloria Patri (Glory be to
the Father) is everywhere omitted, as are the customary blessings and thanksgivings for each of the lessons
at Matins. Tenebræ end with a special commemoration of the Passion and Death of our Redeemer, Christus
factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem (Christ was made obedient for us unto death), which grows
more solemn on each of the successive days.

The name ‘Tenebræ’ itself signifies the spiritual darkness at the setting of the Sun of Justice, which is
Christ, suffering, dying on the Cross, and buried in the tomb, but also refers to physical darkness in the
church during the services: at the end of each psalm or canticle at Tenebræ, one of the candles on the
triangular hearse is extinguished, so that the church grows dimmer and darker as the service proceeds.
However, the candle at the top of the hearse is left lighted, for it represents Christ. During the chanting of
the Benedictus at Lauds, the six candles on the altar are put out, together with all the other lights in the
church, symbolising the abandonment and desertion of Christ by His Apostles and disciples. Then the
candle from the top of the triangle is taken and hidden behind the altar, while all kneel and chant the
solemn commemoration of the Passion of Christ in darkness.

Formerly, Tenebræ were celebrated after nightfall, being anticipated the night before. This would
have made the darkness in the church complete by the end of the service, recalling the darkness at our
Lord’s Crucifixion. At this point in the service, a loud noise, called the strepitus, is made by banging on the
wooden seats of the stalls. The confusion and chaos of the noise and darkness in the church express the
convulsions of nature which occurred when our Lord breathed His last: the earth trembled, the sun hid its
face, rocks were split asunder, and the bodies of the dead came forth from their tombs. The strepitus
continues until the candle reappears from behind the altar, still burning brightly. Christ, though He
suffered, died and was buried, is still the Light of the world, never to be extinguished. Tenebræ conclude in
silence: all rise and pay homage to the Conqueror of Death, Who has overcome the darkness. 

iii
 Prayer before the Divine Office
To be said silently

A
P E R I , Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum
nomen sanctum tuum : munda quoque cor
meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et alié-
nis cogitatiónibus ; intelléctum illúmina,
afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc
offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante
conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum
Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua
ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, has tibi horas
persólvo.
Pater. Ave. Credo.
O PEN my mouth, O Lord, that I may bless Thy
Holy Name; cleanse my heart from all vain, evil,
and wandering thoughts; enlighten my
understand-ing, kindle my affections, that I may
worthily, atten-tively, and devoutly recite this
office, and may de-serve to be heard before the
presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
O Lord, in union with that divine intention with
which Thou, while upon earth, didst Thyself praise
God, I offer these Hours unto Thee.
Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe in God.

Prayer after the Divine Office

To be said silently

S
A C R O S Á N C T Æ et indivíduæ Trinitáti, cruci-
fíxi Dómini nostri Jesu Christi humanitáti,
beatíssimæ et gloriosíssimæ sempérque Vír-
ginis Maríæ fœcúndæ integritáti, et ómnium
Sanctórum universitáti, sit sempitérna laus, honor,
virtus, et glória ab omni creatúra, nobísque remíssio
ómnium peccatórum, per infínita sǽcula sæculó-
rum. Amen.
V. Beata víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt
ætérni Patris Fílium.
R. Et beata úbera, quæ lactavérunt Christum
Dóminum.
Pater. Ave.
O clementíssime Jesu, grátias ago tibi ex toto
corde meo. Propítius esto mihi vilíssimo peccatóri.
Ego hanc actiónem óffero divíno Cordi tuo emen-
dándam atque perficiéndam, ad laudem et glóriam
sanctíssimi Nóminis tui et beatíssimæ Matris tuæ,
ad salútem ánimæ meæ, totiúsque Ecclésiæ tuæ.
Amen.
T O the Most Holy and undivided Trinity, to the
Humanity of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ, to the
fruitful Virginity of the most blessed and most
glorious ever-Virgin Mary, and to the whole com-
pany of all the Saints, be everlasting praise, honour,
and glory from all creatures; and to us be the
remission of all our sins, world without end.
Amen.
V. Blessed be the womb of the Virgin Mary,
which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.
R. And blessed be the breasts that nourished
Christ the Lord.
Our Father. Hail Mary.
O most loving Jesus, I give thanks unto Thee with
all my heart. Be merciful unto me, a most wretched
sinner. I offer the homage of this Office to Thy
Divine Heart to amend and perfect my life, to the
praise and glory of Thy holy Name and of Thy
most blessed Mother, for my salvation, and the
salvation of all Thy Church. Amen.

iv
 MAUNDY THURSDAY
MATINS
The First Nocturn
Antiphon 1
Zelus domus tuæ * comédit me, et oppróbria ex-
probrántium tibi cecidérunt super me.
Psalm 68
S
ALVUM me fac, Deus : * quóniam intravé-
runt aquæ usque ad ánimam meam.
Infíxus sum in limo profúndi : * et non
est substántia.
Veni in altitúdinem maris : * et tem-
péstas demérsit me.
Laborávi clamans, raucæ factæ sunt fauces meæ :
* defecérunt óculi mei, dum spero in Deum meum.
Multiplicáti sunt super capíllos cápitis mei, * qui
odérunt me gratis.
Confortáti sunt qui persecúti sunt me inimíci mei
injúste : * quæ non rápui, tunc exsolvébam.
Deus, tu scis insipiéntiam meam : * et delícta mea
a te non sunt abscóndita.
Non erubéscant in me qui exspéctant te, Dómine,
* Dómine virtútum.
-1-
Zeal for Thine house * hath consumed me, and the
abuse of them that reproached Thee hath fallen
upon me.
S AVE me, O God; * for the waters have entered in,
even unto my soul.
I stick fast in the deep mire, * and there is no
sure standing.
I have reached the depths of the sea, * and the
tempest hath overwhelmed me.
I am wearied with crying; my throat is parched; *
mine eyes have failed me whilst hoping in my God.
They that hate me without a cause * are multi-
plied more than the hairs of my head.
Mine enemies are grown mighty, who have
wrongfully persecuted me: * I repaid them the
things that I never took.
God, Thou knowest my folly, * and my faults are
not hid from Thee.
Let not them be ashamed for me that look unto
Thee, O Lord: * the Lord of Hosts.
 Non confundántur super me * qui quærunt te,
Deus Israël.
Quóniam propter te sustínui oppróbrium : * opé-
ruit confúsio fáciem meam.
Extráneus factus sum frátribus meis, * et pere-
grínus fíliis matris meæ.
Quóniam zelus domus tuæ comédit me : * et
oppróbria exprobrántium tibi cecidérunt super me.
Et opérui in jejúnio ánimam meam : * et factum
est in oppróbrium mihi.
Et pósui vestiméntum meum cilícium : * et factus
sum illis in parábolam.
Advérsum me loquebántur, qui sedébant in
porta : * et in me psallébant qui bibébant vinum.
Ego vero oratiónem meam ad te, Dómine : *
tempus benepláciti, Deus.
In multitúdine misericórdiæ tuæ exáudi me, * in
veritáte salútis tuæ :
Eripe me de luto, ut non infígar : * líbera me ab
iis, qui odérunt me, et de profúndis aquárum.
Non me demérgat tempéstas aquæ, neque absór-
beat me profúndum : * neque úrgeat super me pú-
teus os suum.
Exáudi me, Dómine, quóniam benígna est miseri-
córdia tua : * secúndum multitúdinem miseratió-
num tuárum réspice in me.
Et ne avértas fáciem tuam a púero tuo : * quó-
niam tríbulor, velóciter exáudi me.
Inténde ánimæ meæ, et líbera eam : * propter ini-
mícos meos éripe me.
Tu scis impropérium meum, et confusiónem
meam, * et reveréntiam meam.
In conspéctu tuo sunt omnes qui tríbulant me : *
impropérium exspectávit cor meum, et misériam.
Et sustínui qui simul contristarétur, et non fuit : *
et qui consolarétur, et non invéni.
Et dedérunt in escam meam fel : * et in siti mea
potavérunt me acéto.
Fiat mensa eórum coram ipsis in láqueum, * et in
retributiónes, et in scándalum.
Obscuréntur óculi eórum ne vídeant : * et dorsum
eórum semper incúrva.
Effúnde super eos iram tuam : * et furor iræ tuæ
comprehéndat eos.
Fiat habitátio eórum desérta : * et in tabernáculis
eórum non sit qui inhábitet.
Quóniam quem tu percussísti, persecúti sunt : * et
super dolórem vúlnerum meórum addidérunt.
-2-
Let them that seek Thee not be confounded
through me, * O God of Israel.
Because for Thy sake I have suffered reproof; *
shame hath covered my face.
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, * even
an alien unto my mother’s children.
For the zeal of Thine house hath consumed me: *
and the rebukes of them that rebuked Thee have
fallen upon me.
And I covered my soul with fasting, * and that
was turned to my reproach.
And I made sackcloth my garment, * and I
became a byword unto them.
They that sat in the gate spoke against me, * and
they that drink wine sang songs to mock me.
But, Lord, I make my prayer unto Thee * in an
acceptable time, O God.
Hear me, O God, in the multitude of Thy mercy, *
even in the truth of Thy salvation.
Take me out of the mire, that I sink not; * O let
me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of
the deep waters.
Let not the flood-waters drown me, neither let
the deep swallow me up; * and let not the pit shut
her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind; * look
upon me according to the multitude of Thy tender
mercies.
And hide not Thy face from Thy servant, * for I
am in trouble; O haste Thee, and hear me.
Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it; * O deliver
me, because of mine enemies.
Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, *
and my dishonour.
Mine adversaries are all in Thy sight: * my heart
hath expected rebuke, and I am wretched.
And I looked for one that would grieve together
with me, but there was no one; * neither found I
anyone to comfort me.
They gave me gall for my food; * and when I was
thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let their table be made a snare before them; * and
a recompense, and a stumbling block.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; *
and ever bow Thou down their backs.
Pour out Thine indignation upon them, * and let
Thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
Let their habitation be void, * and let no one
dwell in their tents.
For they have persecuted him whom Thou hast
smitten; * and they have added to the grief of my
wounds.
 Appóne iniquitátem super iniquitátem eórum : * Add Thou wickedness upon their wickedness, *
et non intrent in justítiam tuam. and let them not come into Thy righteousness.
Deleántur de libro vivéntium : * et cum justis non Let them be wiped out of the book of the living, *
scribántur. and not be written among the righteous.
Ego sum pauper et dolens : * salus tua, Deus, sus- But I am poor and in heaviness, * Thy salvation,
cépit me. O God, hath lifted me up.
Laudábo nomen Dei cum cántico : * magnificábo I will praise the Name of God with a song, * and
eum in laude : magnify Him with praise.
Et placébit Deo super vítulum novéllum : * cór- This also shall please the Lord better than a
nua producéntem et úngulas. young calf * that bringeth forth horns and hoofs.
Vídeant páuperes et læténtur : * quǽrite Deum, et The poor shall consider this, and be glad: * Seek
vivet ánima vestra. ye after God, and your soul shall live.
Quóniam exaudívit páuperes Dóminus : * et vin- For the Lord hath heard the poor, * and hath not
ctos suos non despéxit. despised His prisoners.
Laudent illum cæli et terra, * mare et ómnia rep- Let heaven and earth praise Him: * the sea, and
tília in eis. all that moveth therein.
Quóniam Deus salvam fáciet Sion : * et ædifica- For God will save Sion, * and build the cities of
búntur civitátes Juda. Juda.
Et inhabitábunt ibi, * et hereditáte acquírent eam. And men shall dwell there, * and acquire it as an
inheritance.
Et semen servórum ejus possidébit eam : * et qui And the seed of His servants shall possess it; *
díligunt nomen ejus, habitábunt in ea. and they that love His Name shall dwell therein.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the first antiphon is immediately repeated:
Ant. 1. Zelus domus tuæ comédit me, et oppró- Ant. 1. Zeal for Thine house hath consumed me,
bria exprobrántium tibi cecidérunt super me. and the abuse of them that reproached Thee hath
fallen upon me.
After the first psalm with its antiphon, one of the candles on the triangular candelabra is extinguished. Similarly,
after each of the other psalms throughout both Matins and Lauds, one of the fifteen candles on the candelabra is
extinguished.
Antiphon 2
Avertántur retrórsum, * et erubéscant, qui cógi- Let them be turned backward * and put to shame,
tant mihi mala. that wish evil things against me.

Psalm 69

D
EUS, in adjutórium meum inténde : * Dó-
mine ad adjuvándum me festína.
Confundántur et revereántur, * qui quæ-
runt ánimam meam.
Avertántur retrórsum, et erubéscant, * qui volunt
mihi mala.
Avertántur statim erubescéntes, * qui dicunt mi-
hi : Euge, euge.
Exsúltent et læténtur in te omnes qui quærunt te,
* et dicant semper : Magnificétur Dóminus : qui
díligunt salutáre tuum.
Ego vero egénus, et pauper sum : * Deus, ádjuva
me.
Adjútor meus, et liberátor meus es tu : * Dómine,
ne moréris.
O G OD , come to my assistance; * O Lord, make
haste to help me.
Let them be ashamed and confounded * that
seek after my soul.
Let them be turned backward and put to con-
fusion * that wish me evil.
Let them be soon brought to shame, * that cry
over me, Aha, aha!
But let all those that seek Thee be joyful and glad
in Thee: * and let all such as delight in Thy
salvation ever say, The Lord be praised.
As for me, I am poor and in misery: * help me, O
God.
Thou art my helper, and my deliverer: * O Lord,
make no delay.

-3-
 Ant. 2. Avertántur retrórsum, et erubéscant, qui
cógitant mihi mala.
Antiphon 3
Deus meus, * éripe me de manu peccatóris.
Psalm 70
J
N te, Dómine, sperávi, non confúndar in
ætérnum : * in justítia tua líbera me, et éri-
pe me.
Inclína ad me aurem tuam, * et salva me.
Esto mihi in Deum protectórem, et in locum mu-
nítum : * ut salvum me fácias.
Quóniam firmaméntum meum, * et refúgium me-
um es tu.
Deus meus, éripe me de manu peccatóris, * de
manu contra legem agéntis et iníqui :
Quóniam tu es patiéntia mea, Dómine : * Dómi-
ne, spes mea a juventúte mea.
In te confirmátus sum ex útero : * de ventre ma-
tris meæ tu es protéctor meus.
In te cantátio mea semper : * tamquam
prodígium factus sum multis : et tu adjútor fortis.
Repleátur os meum laude, ut cántem glóriam
tuam : * tota die magnitúdinem tuam.
Ne projícias me in témpore senectútis : * cum
defécerit virtus mea, ne derelínquas me.
Quia dixérunt inimíci mei mihi : * et qui custo-
diébant ánimam meam, consílium fecérunt in
unum.
Dicéntes : Deus derelíquit eum, persequímini, et
comprehéndite eum : * quia non est qui erípiat.
Deus ne elongéris a me : * Deus meus, in auxíli-
um meum réspice.
Confundántur, et defíciant detrahéntes ánimæ
meæ : * operiántur confusióne, et pudóre qui quæ-
runt mala mihi.
Ego autem semper sperábo : * et adjíciam super
omnem laudem tuam.
Os meum annuntiábit justítiam tuam : * tota die
salutáre tuum.
Quóniam non cognóvi litteratúram, introíbo in
poténtias Dómini : * Dómine, memorábor justítiæ
tuæ solíus.
Deus, docuísti me a juventúte mea : * et usque
nunc pronuntiábo mirabília tua.
Et usque in senéctam et sénium : * Deus, ne dere-
línquas me,
-4-
Ant. 2. Let them be turned backward and put to
confusion, that wish me evil.
Deliver me, * O my God, out of the hand of the
sinner.
I N Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never
be put to confusion, * but free me and deliver me in
Thy righteousness.
Incline Thine ear unto me, * and save me.
Be Thou my God, my defender and my strong-
hold, * that Thou mayest save me.
For Thou art my house of defense, * and my
refuge.
Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the
ungodly, * out of the hand of the transgressor of the
law and the wicked man.
For Thou, O Lord, art my patience: * Thou art
my hope, Lord, even from my youth.
Through Thee have I been strengthened from
birth: * Thou art my protector out of my mother’s
womb.
My song shall ever be of Thee: * I am become as
a wonder unto many, but Thou art a strong helper.
O let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, that I
may sing of Thy glory * and of Thy greatness all the
day long.
Cast me not away in my time of old age; *
forsake me not when my strength faileth me.
For mine enemies have spoken against me; * and
they that lay wait for my soul have taken counsel
together,
Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute him,
and take him, * for there is none to deliver him.
Go not far from me, O God; * my God, haste
Thee to help me.
Let them be confounded and perish that are
against my soul; * let them be covered with shame
and dishonour that seek to do me evil.
As for me, I will ever abide in hope, * and will
praise Thee more and more.
My mouth shall speak of Thy righteousness: *
and of Thy salvation all the day long.
I have not known learning, and thus will I go
forth in the strength of the Lord: * O Lord, I will be
mindful of Thy justice alone.
Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: *
and henceforth will I tell of Thy wondrous works,
And unto old age and grey hairs: * O God, for-
sake me not,
 Donec annúntiem bráchium tuum * generatióni
omni, quæ ventúra est :
Poténtiam tuam, et justítiam tuam, Deus, usque in
altíssima, quæ fecísti magnália : * Deus, quis símilis
tibi ?
Quantas ostendísti mihi tribulatiónes multas et
malas : et convérsus vivificásti me : * et de abyssis
terræ íterum reduxísti me :
Multiplicásti magnificéntiam tuam : * et convér-
sus consolátus es me.
Nam et ego confitébor tibi in vasis psalmi veri-
tátem tuam : * Deus, psallam tibi in cíthara, Sanctus
Israël.
Exsultábunt lábia mea cum cantávero tibi : * et
ánima mea, quam redemísti.
Sed et lingua mea tota die meditábitur justítiam
tuam : * cum confúsi et revériti fúerint, qui quærunt
mala mihi.
Ant. 3. Deus meus, éripe me de manu peccatóris.
V. Avertántur retrórsum, et erubéscant.
R. Qui cógitant mihi mala.
Pater noster dicitur secreto.
Lesson I
Incipit Lamentátio Jeremíæ Prophétæ.
A
LEPH. Quómodo sedet sola cívitas plena
pópulo : facta est quasi vídua dómina Gén-
tium : princeps provinciárum facta est sub
tribúto.
Beth. Plorans plorávit in nocte, et lácrimæ ejus in
maxíllis ejus : non est qui consolétur eam ex ómni-
bus caris ejus : omnes amíci ejus sprevérunt eam, et
facti sunt ei inimíci.
Ghimel. Migrávit Judas propter afflictiónem, et
multitúdinem servitútis : habitávit inter Gentes, nec
invénit réquiem : omnes persecutóres ejus appre-
hendérunt eam inter angústias.
Daleth. Viæ Sion lugent eo quod non sint qui
véniant ad solemnitátem : omnes portæ ejus des-
trúctæ : sacerdótes ejus geméntes : vírgines ejus
squálidæ, et ipsa oppréssa amaritúdine.
He. Facti sunt hostes ejus in cápite, inimíci ejus
locupletáti sunt : quia Dóminus locútus est super
eam propter multitúdinem iniquitátum ejus : pár-
vuli ejus ducti sunt in captivitátem, ante fáciem
tribulántis.
-5-
Until I have shown Thy strength * unto all gener-
ations that are yet to come.
Thy power and Thy righteousness, O God, even
to the highest great things Thou hast done: * O God,
who is like unto Thee?
O how many troubles and adversities hast Thou
shown me! and yet didst Thou turn and refresh me;
* yea, and broughtest me back from the depths of
the earth again.
Thou hast multiplied Thy magnificence, * and
turning to me Thou hast comforted me.
Therefore will I confess unto Thee Thy truth up-
on the psaltery: * O God, unto Thee will I sing upon
the harp, O Thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips will be glad when I sing unto Thee; * and
so will my soul whom Thou hast redeemed.
My tongue also shall meditate on Thy righteous-
ness all the day long; * for they are confounded and
brought unto shame that seek to do me evil.
Ant. 3. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of
the sinner.
V. Let them be turned backward and put to
confusion.
R. Who wish me evil.
Our Father in silence.
Lam. 1: 1-5
Here beginneth the Lamentation of
Jeremias the Prophet.
A LEPH . How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of
people! how is she become as a widow! she that
was great among the nations, and princess among
the provinces, how is she become a toiling slave!
Beth. She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears
are on her cheeks: among all that were dear to hear
she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have
despised her; they are become her enemies.
Ghimel. Juda is gone into captivity because of her
affliction, and the greatness of her bondage: she
dwelleth among the heathen, and hath found no rest:
all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
Daleth. The ways of Sion do mourn, because
there are none that come to her solemn feasts: all
her gates are broken down: her priests sigh, her
virgins are afflicted, and she is oppressed with
bitterness.
He. Her adversaries have become her lords; her
enemies prosper; for the Lord hath spoken against
her for the multitude of her transgressions: her
children have been led into captivity before the
enemy.
 The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the following conclusion instead:
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
Deum tuum. God.
Responsory I cf. Mt. 26: 39, 41
R. In monte Olivéti orávit ad Patrem : Pater, si R. On the Mount of Olives, He prayed to the
fíeri potest, tránseat a me calix iste : * Spíritus qui- Father: Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass
dem promptus est, caro autem infírma. from Me: * The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh
is weak.
V. Vigiláte, et oráte, ut non intrétis in tenta- V. Watch ye, and pray, that ye enter not into
tiónem. * Spíritus quidem promptus est, caro autem temptation. * The Spirit indeed is willing, but the
infírma. flesh is weak.
Lesson II Lam. 1: 6-9

V
A U . Et egréssus est a fília Sion omnis decor V AU . And from the daughter of Sion all her beauty
ejus : facti sunt príncipes ejus velut aríetes is departed: her princes are become like rams that
non inveniéntes páscua : et abiérunt abs- find no pasture, and they are gone with-out
que fortitúdine ante fáciem subsequéntis. strength before the pursuer.
Zain. Recordáta est Jerúsalem diérum afflictiónis Zain. Jerusalem hath remembered in the days of
suæ, et prævaricatiónis ómnium desiderabílium su- her affliction and miseries, all her pleasant things
órum, quæ habúerat a diébus antíquis, cum cáderet that she had in the days of old, when her people fell
pópulus ejus in manu hostíli, et non esset auxi- into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her:
liátor : vidérunt eam hostes, et derisérunt sábbata the enemies have seen her, and have mocked her
ejus. sabbaths.
Heth. Peccátum peccávit Jerúsalem, proptérea Heth. Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; there-
instábilis facta est : omnes, qui glorificábant eam, fore hath she been shaken: all that honoured her
sprevérunt illam, quia vidérunt ignomíniam ejus : despise her, because they have seen her shame: yea,
ipsa autem gemens convérsa est retrórsum. she sigheth, and turneth backward.
Teth. Sordes ejus in pédibus ejus, nec recordáta Teth. Her filthiness is on her feet; she remem-
est finis sui : depósita est veheménter, non habens bereth not her last end; she is violently cast down,
consolatórem : vide, Dómine, afflictiónem meam, having no comforter. O Lord, behold my affliction:
quóniam erectus est inimícus. for the enemy is lifted up.
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
Deum tuum. God.
Responsory II cf. Mt. 26: 38, 45
R. Trístis est ánima mea usque ad mortem : sus- R. My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Remain
tinéte hic, et vigiláte mecum : nunc vidébitis tur- here, and watch with Me: yet a little while and ye
bam, quæ circúmdabit me : * Vos fugam capiétis, et shall see the great multitude surround Me: * And ye
ego vadam immolári pro vobis. shall flee, but I shall go hence to be sacri-ficed for
you.
V. Ecce appropínquat hora, et Fílius hóminis tra- V. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of
détur in manus peccatórum. * Vos fugam capiétis, et Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. * And ye
ego vadam immolári pro vobis. shall flee, but I shall go hence to be sacrificed for
you.
Lesson III Lam. 1: 10-14

J
OD. Manum suam misit hostis ad ómnia de-
siderabília ejus : quia vidit Gentes ingréssas
sanctuá-rium suum, de quibus præcéperas
ne intrárent in ecclésiam tuam.
J OD . The enemy hath stretched out his hand
towards all her treasures: for she hath seen that the
heathen have entered into her sanctuary, whom
Thou didst command that they should not enter
into Thine assembly.

-6-
 Caph. Omnis pópulus ejus gemens, et quærens
panem : dedérunt pretiósa quæque pro cibo ad
refocillándam ánimam. Vide, Dómine, et consídera,
quóniam facta sum vilis.
Lamed. O vos omnes, qui transítis per viam,
atténdite, et vidéte, si est dolor sicut dolor meus :
quóniam vindemiávit me, ut locútus est Dóminus in
die iræ furóris sui.
Mem. De excélso misit ignem in óssibus meis, et
erudívit me : expándit rete pédibus meis, convértit
me retrórsum : pósuit me desolátam, tota die mæ-
róre conféctam.
Nun. Vigilávit jugum iniquitátum meárum : in
manu ejus convolútæ sunt, et impósitæ collo meo :
infirmáta est virtus mea : dedit me Dóminus in ma-
nu, de qua non pótero súrgere.
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum
Deum tuum.
Responsory III
R. Ecce vídimus eum non habéntem spéciem,
neque decórem : aspéctus ejus in eo non est : hic
peccáta nostra portávit, et pro nobis dolet : ipse
autem vulnerátus est propter iniquitátes nostras : *
Cujus livóre sanáti sumus.
V. Vere languóres nostros ipse tulit, et dolóres
nostros ipse portávit. * Cujus livóre sanáti sumus.
R. Ecce vídimus eum non habéntem spéciem,
neque decórem : aspéctus ejus in eo non est : hic
peccáta nostra portávit, et pro nobis dolet : ipse
autem vulnerátus est propter iniquitátes nostras : *
Cujus livóre sanáti sumus.
The Second Nocturn
Antiphon 4
Liberávit Dóminus * páuperem a poténte, et
ínopem, cui non erat adjútor.
Psalm 70
D
EUS, judícium tuum regi da : * et justítiam
tuam fílio regis.
Judicáre pópulum tuum in justítia, * et
páuperes tuos in judício.
Suscípiant montes pacem pópulo : * et colles jus-
títiam.
-7-
Caph. All her people sigh, they seek bread; they
have given all their precious things for food to
relieve the soul: see, O Lord, and consider; for I am
become vile.
Lamed. O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and
see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! For
the he hath afflicted me, as the Lord spoke in the
day of His fierce anger.
Mem. From above hath He sent fire into my
bones, and hath chastised me: He hath spread a net
for my feet, He hath turned me backwards: He hath
made me desolate, wasted with sorrow all the day
long.
Nun. The yoke of mine iniquities hath kept watch:
they are bound up in His hand, and weigh down
upon my neck: my strength hath failed; the Lord
hath delivered me into their grip, out of which I am
not able to rise.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
God.
cf. Is. 53: 2, 4, 5; 1Pt. 2: 24
R. Behold, we have seen Him having no form nor
comeliness: there is no beauty in Him; this is He
Who hath borne our griefs and carried away our
sorrows; but He was wounded for our trans-
gressions: * And by His stripes we are healed.
V. Surely hath He borne our griefs and carried
our sorrows. * And by His stripes we are healed.
R. Behold, we have seen Him having no form nor
comeliness: there is no beauty in Him; this is He
Who hath borne our griefs and carried away our
sorrows; but He was wounded for our trans-
gressions: * And by His stripes we are healed.
The Lord hath delivered * the poor man from the
mighty, and the needy who had no helper.
O G OD , give Thy judgment to the King, * and to the
King’s son Thy justice,
To judge Thy people with justice, * and Thy poor
with right judgment.
Let the mountains receive peace for the people, *
and the hills justice.
 Judicábit páuperes pópuli, et salvos fáciet fílios
páuperum : * et humiliábit calumniatórem.
Et permanébit cum sole, et ante lunam, * in gene-
ratióne et generatiónem.
Descéndet sicut plúvia in vellus : * et sicut stillicí-
dia stillántia super terram.
Oriétur in diébus ejus justítia, et abundántia pa-
cis : * donec auferátur luna.
Et dominábitur a mari usque ad mare : * et a flú-
mine usque ad términos orbis terrárum.
Coram illo prócident Æthíopes : * et inimíci ejus
terram lingent.
Reges Tharsis, et ínsulæ múnera ófferent : * reges
Arabum et Saba dona addúcent.
Et adorábunt eum omnes reges terræ : * omnes
Gentes sérvient ei :
Quia liberábit páuperem a poténte : * et páupe-
rem, cui non erat adjútor.
Parcet páuperi et ínopi : * et ánimas páuperum
salvas fáciet.
Ex usúris et iniquitáte rédimet ánimas eórum : * et
honorábile nomen eórum coram illo.
Et vivet, et dábitur ei de auro Arábiæ, et ado-
rábunt de ipso semper : * tota die benedícent ei.
Et erit firmaméntum in terra in summis móntium,
superextollétur super Líbanum fructus ejus : * et
florébunt de civitáte sicut fœnum terræ.
Sit nomen ejus benedíctum in sǽcula : * ante so-
lem pérmanet nomen ejus.
Et benedicéntur in ipso omnes tribus terræ : *
omnes Gentes magnificábunt eum.
Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, * qui facit mi-
rabília solus.
All bow at the following verse:
Et benedíctum nomen majestátis ejus in ætér-
num : * et replébitur majestáte ejus omnis terra : fiat,
fiat.
Ant. 4. Liberávit Dóminus páuperem a poténte, et
ínopem, cui non erat adjútor.
Antiphon 5
Cogitavérunt ímpii, * et locúti sunt nequítiam :
iniquitátem in excélso locúti sunt.
-8-
He shall judge the poor of the people, and He
shall save the children of the poor, * and He shall
humble the oppressor.
And He shall endure with the sun and before the
moon, * throughout all generations.
He shall come down like rain upon the fleece, *
and as showers falling gently upon the earth.
In His days shall justice flourish, and abundance
of peace, * till the moon be taken away.
And He shall rule from sea to sea, * and from the
river unto the ends of the earth.
Before Him the Ethiopians shall kneel down; *
and His enemies shall lick the ground.
The kings of Tharsis and of the islands shall offer
presents; * the kings of the Arabians and Saba shall
bring gifts.
And all the kings of the earth shall worship Him;
* all nations shall serve Him.
For He shall deliver the poor from the mighty; *
even the poor that hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, * and He shall
save the souls of the poor.
He shall redeem their souls from usuries and
wickedness; * and their names shall be precious in
His sight.
And He shall live, and unto Him shall be given of
the gold of Arabia, and they shall ever worship
Him: * all the day long shall they bless Him.
And there shall be a firmament on the earth, high
upon the mountains, and above Lebanon shall the
fruit thereof be exalted: * and they shall flourish in
the city like the grass of the earth.
Blessed be His Name for evermore; * His Name
endureth before the sun.
And in Him shall all the tribes of the earth be
blessed: * all nations shall magnify Him.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, * Who
alone doth wondrous things.
And blessed be the Name of His Majesty for ever:
* and all the earth shall be filled with His Majesty.
Amen, amen.
Ant. 4. The Lord hath delivered the poor man
from the mighty, and the needy who had no helper.
The ungodly have schemed * and spoken evil:
they have spoken evil against the Most High.
 Psalm 72
Q
U A M bonus Israël Deus, * his, qui recto
sunt corde !
Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes : *
pene effúsi sunt gressus mei.
Quia zelávi super iníquos, * pacem peccatórum
videns.
Quia non est respéctus morti eórum : * et firma-
méntum in plaga eórum.
In labóre hóminum non sunt : * et cum homí-
nibus non flagellabúntur :
Ideo ténuit eos supérbia, * opérti sunt iniquitáte
et impietáte sua.
Pródiit quasi ex ádipe iníquitas eórum : * transié-
runt in afféctum cordis.
Cogitavérunt, et locúti sunt nequítiam : *
iniquitá-tem in excélso locúti sunt.
Posuérunt in cælum os suum : * et lingua eórum
transívit in terra.
Ideo convertétur pópulus meus hic : * et dies ple-
ni inveniéntur in eis.
Et dixérunt : Quómodo scit Deus, * et si est scién-
tia in excélso ?
Ecce ipsi peccatóres, et abundántes in sǽculo, *
obtinuérunt divítias.
Et dixi : Ergo sine causa justificávi cor meum, * et
lavi inter innocéntes manus meas.
Et fui flagellátus tota die, * et castigátio mea in
matutínis.
Si dicébam : Narrábo sic : * ecce natiónem filió-
rum tuórum reprobávi.
Existimábam ut cognóscerem hoc, * labor est ante
me.
Donec intrem in Sanctuárium Dei : * et intélligam
in novíssimis eórum.
Verúmtamen propter dolos posuísti eis : * deje-
císti eos dum allevaréntur.
Quómodo facti sunt in desolatiónem, súbito defe-
cérunt : * periérunt propter iniquitátem suam.
Velut sómnium surgéntium, Dómine, * in civitáte
tua imáginem ipsórum ad níhilum rédiges.
Quia inflammátum est cor meum, et renes mei
commutáti sunt: * et ego ad níhilum redáctus sum,
et nescívi.
Ut juméntum factus sum apud te : * et ego
semper tecum.
Tenuísti manum déxteram meam : et in voluntáte
tua deduxísti me, * et cum glória suscepísti me.
-9-
H OW good is God unto Israel: * even unto them
that are of a right heart!
Nevertheless, my feet were almost moved, * my
steps had well-nigh slipped.
For I was grieved at the wicked: * seeing the
prosperity of sinners.
For there is no regard to their death; * nor is
there strength in their stripes.
They are not in the labour of men; * neither shall
they be scourged like other men.
And therefore hath pride held them fast; * they
are covered with their iniquity and their wicked-
ness.
Their wickedness hath come forth as it were
from fatness, * they have passed even into the
affection of the heart.
They have thought and spoken wickedness: *
they have spoken wickedness on high.
They have set their mouth against heaven, * and
their tongue hath passed through the earth.
Therefore shall my people return here: * and full
days shall be found in them.
And they said, How doth God know? * and is
there knowledge in the Most High?
Lo, these are the ungodly, and yet abounding in
the world, * they have riches in possession.
And I said, Then in vain have I justified my heart,
* and washed my hands among the innocent.
All the day long have I been punished, * and my
chastisement hath been in the mornings.
If I said, I will speak thus, * behold, I should con-
demn the generation of Thy children.
Then thought I to understand this; * but it was a
labour in my sight,
Until I go into the sanctuary of God: * and un-
derstand their last ends.
But indeed, for their deceits Thou hast put it to
them: * when they were lifted up, Thou didst cast
them down.
O how they are brought to desolation, how sud-
denly have they ceased to be: * they have perished
by reason of their iniquity.
Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh, *
so in Thy city shalt Thou bring their image to
nothing.
For my heart was inflamed, and my reins have
been changed: * and I am brought to nothing, and I
knew not.
I am become as a beast before Thee: * yet I am
ever with Thee.
 Quid enim mihi est in cælo ? * et a te quid vólui
super terram ?
Defécit caro mea, et cor meum : * Deus cordis mei,
et pars mea Deus in ætérnum.
Quia ecce, qui elóngant se a te, períbunt : *
perdidísti omnes, qui fornicántur abs te.
Mihi autem adhærére Deo bonum est : * pónere in
Dómino Deo spem meam :
Ut annúntiem omnes prædicatiónes tuas, * in por-
tis fíliæ Sion.
Ant. 5. Cogitavérunt ímpii, et locúti sunt
nequítiam : iniquitátem in excélso locúti sunt.
Antiphon 6
Exsúrge, Dómine, * et júdica causam meam.
Psalm 73
U
T quid, Deus, repulísti in finem : * irátus
est furor tuus super oves páscuæ tuæ ?
Memor esto congregatiónis tuæ : * quam
possedísti ab inítio.
Redemísti virgam hereditátis tuæ : * mons Sion,
in quo habitásti in eo.
Leva manus tuas in supérbias eórum in finem : *
quanta malignátus est inimícus in sancto !
Et gloriáti sunt qui odérunt te : * in médio
solemnitátis tuæ.
Posuérunt signa sua, signa : * et non cognovérunt
sicut in éxitu super summum.
Quasi in silva lignórum secúribus excidérunt já-
nuas ejus in idípsum : * in secúri et áscia dejecé-runt
eam.
Incendérunt igni sanctuárium tuum : * in terra
polluérunt tabernáculum nóminis tui.
Dixérunt in corde suo cognátio eórum simul : *
Quiéscere faciámus omnes dies festos Dei a terra.
Signa nostra non vídimus, jam non est prophéta :
* et nos non cognóscet ámplius.
Usquequo, Deus, improperábit inimícus : * irrítat
adversárius nomen tuum in finem ?
Ut quid avértis manum tuam, et déxteram tuam,
* de médio sinu tuo in finem ?
- 10 -
Thou hast held me by my right hand, and by Thy
will hast Thou guided me, * and with Thy glory hast
Thou received me.
For what have I in heaven? * and besides Thee,
what do I desire upon earth?
My flesh and my heart have failed; * but God is
the strength of my heart, yea, God is my portion for
ever.
For lo, they that forsake Thee shall perish; * Thou
hast destroyed all them that are unfaithful unto
Thee.
But it is good for me to hold fast to my God, * to
put my hope in the Lord God:
That I may declare all Thy praises, * in the gates
of the daughter of Sion.
Ant. 5. The ungodly have thought and spoken
evil: they have spoken evil against the Most High.
Arise, O Lord, * and judge my cause.
O G OD , why hast Thou cast off unto the end? * why is
Thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of Thy pasture?
Remember Thy congregation, * whom Thou hast
possessed from the beginning.
Thou hast redeemed the sceptre of Thine inheri-
tance, * Mount Sion, wherein Thou hast dwelt.
Lift up Thy hands against their pride unto the
end: * see what wicked things the enemy hath done
in the sanctuary!
And they that hate Thee have roared * in the
midst of Thy holy place.
They have set up their standards as signs, * and
they knew not as in their departure over the
summit.
As with axes in a forest of trees have they cut
down the gates thereof: * with axe and hatchet they
have brought it down.
They have set fire to Thy sanctuary, * and have
defiled the dwelling-place of Thy Name on the
earth.
They said in their hearts, the whole kindred of
them together: * Let us abolish all the festival days
of God from the land.
Our signs we have not seen; there is now no
prophet, * and he will know us no more.
How long, O God, shall the enemy scoff? * Shall
the adversary revile Thy Name for ever?
Why dost Thou hold back Thy hand, even Thy
right hand? * Wilt Thou keep it in the midst of Thy
bosom for ever?
 Deus autem Rex noster ante sǽcula : * operátus
est salútem in médio terræ.
Tu confirmásti in virtúte tua mare : * contribulásti
cápita dracónum in aquis.
Tu confregísti cápita dracónis : * dedísti eum es-
cam pópulis Æthíopum.
Tu dirupísti fontes, et torréntes : * tu siccásti flú-
vios Ethan.
Tuus est dies, et tua est nox : * tu fabricátus es
auróram et solem.
Tu fecísti omnes términos terræ : * æstátem et ver
tu plasmásti ea.
Memor esto hujus, inimícus improperávit Dómi-
no : * et pópulus insípiens incitávit nomen tuum.
Ne tradas béstiis ánimas confiténtes tibi, * et áni-
mas páuperum tuórum ne obliviscáris in finem.
Réspice in testaméntum tuum : * quia repléti sunt,
qui obscuráti sunt terræ dómibus iniquitátum.
Ne avertátur húmilis factus confúsus : * pauper et
inops laudábunt nomen tuum.
Exsúrge, Deus, júdica causam tuam : * memor
esto improperiórum tuórum, eórum quæ ab insipi-
énte sunt tota die.
Ne obliviscáris voces inimicórum tuórum : * su-
pérbia eórum, qui te odérunt, ascéndit semper.
Ant. 6. Exsúrge, Dómine, et júdica causam meam.
V. Deus meus, éripe me de manu peccatóris.
R. Et de manu contra legem agéntis et iníqui.
Pater noster dicitur secreto.
Lesson IV
Ex tractatu Sancti Augustini Episcopi super
Psalmos. In Psalm. 54 ad vers. 1
E
X Á U D I , Deus, oratiónem meam, et ne des-
péxeris deprecatiónem meam : inténde
mihi, et exáudi me. Satagéntis, sollíciti, in
tribu-latióne pósiti, verba sunt ista. Orat
multa pátiens, de malo liberári desíderans. Súperest
ut videámus in quo malo sit : et cum dícere cœperit,
agnoscámus ibi nos esse : ut communicáta tribu-
latióne, conjungámus oratiónem. Contristátus sum,
inquit, in exercitatióne mea, et conturbátus sum. Ubi
- 11 -
But God is our King from of old; * He hath
wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
Thou hast made the sea firm through Thy power;
* Thou hast broken the heads of the dragons in the
waters.
Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon, * and
hast given him to be food for the people of the
Ethiopians.
Thou hast broken up the fountains and the
torrents; * Thou hast dried up the waters of Ethan.
Thine is the day, and Thine is the night; * Thou
hast fashioned the morning light and the sun.
Thou hast made all the borders of the earth; * the
summer and the spring were formed by Thee.
Remember this, how the enemy hath rebuked the
Lord; * and how the foolish people hath blas-
phemed Thy Name.
O deliver not up unto beasts the souls of them
that confess to Thee; * and forget not the souls of
Thy poor for ever.
Look upon Thy covenant; * for they that are the
obscure of the earth have been filled with dwellings
of iniquity.
O let not the humble be turned away with
confusion; * the poor and needy shall give praise
unto Thy Name.
Arise, O God, judge Thine own cause; * remem-
ber thy reproaches with which the foolish man hath
blasphemed Thee all the day long.
Forget not the voice of Thine enemies: * the pride
of them that hate Thee increaseth ever more and
more.
Ant. 6. Arise, O Lord, and judge my cause.
V. Deliver me, O God, out of the hand of the
ungodly.
R. Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel
man.
Our Father in silence.
From the Treatise of Saint Augustine the Bishop
on the Psalms. On Psalm 54 at verse 1
‘H EAR my prayer, O God, and hide not Thyself
from my petition: take heed unto me, and hear me:
how I mourn in my trial, and am vexed; because of
the crying of the enemy, and of the tribulation
which cometh from the ungodly.’ These are the
words of one who is disquieted, beset by trouble
and anxiety. He prayeth as one under much suffer-
ing, desiring deliverance from evil. Let us see from
what evil he doth suffer: and as we hear what that
contristátus ? ubi conturbátus ? In exercitatióne mea,
inquit. Hómines malos, quos pátitur, commemoratus
est : eamdémque passiónem malórum hóminum
exercitatiónem suam dixit. Ne putétis gratis esse
malos in hoc mundo, et nihil boni de illis ágere
Deum. Omnis malus aut ídeo vivit, ut corrigátur ;
aut ídeo vivit, ut per illum bonus exerceátur.
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the responsory is said immediately.
Responsory IV
R. Amícus meus ósculi me trádidit signo : Quem
osculátus fúero, ipse est, tenéte eum : hoc malum
fecit signum, qui per ósculum adimplévit homicí-
dium. * Infélix prætermísit prétium sánguinis, et in
fine láqueo se suspéndit.
V. Bonum erat ei, si natus non fuísset homo ille. *
Infélix prætermísit prétium sánguinis, et in fine
láqueo se suspéndit.
Lesson V
U
TINAM ergo qui nos modo exércent,
conver-tántur, et nobíscum exerceántur :
tamen quámdiu ita sunt ut exérceant, non
eos odérimus : quia in eo quod malus est
quis eórum, utrum usque in finem perseveratúrus
sit, ignorámus. Et plerúmque cum tibi vidéris
odísse inimícum, fratrem odísti, et nescis. Diábolus,
et ángeli ejus in Scriptúris sanctis manifestáti sunt
nobis, quod ad ignem ætérnum sint destináti.
Ipsórum tantum desperánda est corréctio, contra
quos habémus occúltam luctam : ad quam luctam
nos armat Apóstolus, dicens : Non est nobis col-
luctátio advérsus carnem et sánguinem : id est, non
advérsus hómines, quos vidétis, sed advérsus prín-
cipes, et potestátes, et rectóres mundi, tenebrárum
harum. Ne forte cum dixísset, mundi, intellígeres
dæmónes esse rectóres cæli et terræ. Mundi dixit,
tenebrárum harum : mundi dixit, amatórum mun-
di : mundi dixit, impiórum et iniquórum : mundi
dixit, de quo dicit Evangélium : Et mundus eum
non cognóvit.
- 12 -
evil is, let us recognize that we also suffer from the
same thing; so that as we share his tribulation, we
may also join in his prayer. ‘I mourn in my trial,’
saith he, ‘and am vexed.’ When doth he mourn?
When is he vexed? ‘In my trial, saith he. He hath in
mind the ungodly that cause him tribulation, which
he calleth his trial. Therefore, think not that the
wicked can serve no good purpose in this world,
and that God is unable to accomplish good by
means of them. Every wicked person is permitted to
live in order that he may be made righteous, or else
that the righteous may be tried by him.
cf. Mt. 26: 48; 27: 5; 26: 24
R. Mine own friend hath betrayed Me by the sign
of a kiss: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that Same is He,
hold Him fast. This was the traitorous sign which he
gave, even he who murdered Him with a kiss.
* Woe unto that man! He cast down the price of
blood, and went, and hanged himself.
V. It had been good for that man if he had not
been born. * Woe unto that man! He cast down the
price of blood, and went, and hanged himself.
W OULD that the ungodly who now try us were
converted, and so were on trial with us. Yet, though
they continue to try us, let us not hate them: for we
know not whether any of them will continue to the
end in his evil ways. And mostly, when thou
thinkest thyself to hate thine enemy, thou hatest thy
brother, and knowest it not. Only the devil and his
angels are shown to us in Scripture to be doomed to
eternal fire; there is no hope for their amendment,
against whom we wage a hidden battle. For this
battle the Apostle would arm us, saying, ‘We
wrestle not against flesh and blood,’ that is, not
against men, whom we see, ‘but against principal-
ities, against powers, against the rulers of the dark-
ness of this world.’ Mark that he saith not, ‘The
rulers of this world,’ lest perchance thou shouldst
think that devils are rulers of heaven and earth; but
rather, he saith, ‘The rulers of the darkness of this
world.’ When he speaketh thus of the world, he
would have us understand the lovers of the world,
the world of ungodly and wicked men, the world of
which the Gospel saith, ‘And the world knew Him
not.’
 Responsory V cf. Mt. 26: 24
R. Judas mercátor péssimus ósculo pétiit Dómi- R. The vile merchant Judas came to the Lord to
num : ille ut agnus ínnocens non negávit Judæ kiss Him, Who, as an innocent Lamb, refused not
ósculum : * Denariórum número Christum Judæis the kiss of Judas: * For thirty pieces of silver, he
trádidit. betrayed Christ to the Jews.
V. Mélius illi erat, si natus non fuísset. * Denari- V. It would have been better for that man had he
órum número Christum Judæis trádidit. not been born. * For thirty pieces of silver, he
betrayed Christ to the Jews.

Lesson VI

Q
UÓNIAM vidi iniquitátem, et contradictió-
nem in civitáte. Atténde glóriam crucis
ipsíus. Jam in fronte regum crux illa fixa
est, cui inimíci insultavérunt. Efféctus pro-
bávit virtútem : dómuit orbem non ferro, sed ligno.
Lignum crucis contuméliis dignum visum est
inimícis, et ante ipsum lignum stantes caput agitá-
bant, et dicébant : Si Fílius Dei est, descéndat de
cruce. Extendébat ille manus suas ad pópulum non
credéntem, et contradicéntem. Si enim justus est,
qui ex fide vivit ; iníquuus est, qui non habet fidem.
Quod ergo hic ait, iniquitátem : perfidiam intéllige.
Vidébat ergo Dóminus in civitáte iniquitátem et
contradictiónem, et extendébat manus suas ad pó-
pulum non credéntem et contradicéntem : et tamen
et ipsos exspéctans dicébat : Pater, ignósce illis, quia
nésciunt quid fáciunt.
Responsory VI
R. Unus ex discípulis meis tradet me hódie : Væ
illi per quem tradar ego : * Mélius illi erat, si natus
non fuísset.
V. Qui intíngit mecum manum in parópside, hic
me traditúrus est in manus peccatórum. * Mélius illi
erat, si natus non fuísset.
R. Unus ex discípulis meis tradet me hódie : Væ
illi per quem tradar ego : * Mélius illi erat, si natus
non fuísset.
‘F OR I have seen unrighteousness and strife in the
city.’ Give heed now to the glory of the Cross itself.
O N the brow of kings is now placed that Cross, that
enemies once derided. Its effects have proven its
virtue. He hath subdued the world, not with a
sword, but with Wood. The Wood of the Cross
seemed a worthy object of scorn to His enemies;
and standing before that very Wood, they wagged
their heads, saying, ‘If thou be the Son of God,
come down from the Cross!’ Thus did He stretch
forth His hands to a disobedient and gainsaying
people. If he is just who doth live by faith, then is
he unrighteous who hath not faith. Wherefore,
when he saith, ‘Unrighteousness,’ understand that
it is the disobedience of unbelief. The Lord then
saw unrigh-teousness and strife in the city, and
stretched out His hands unto an unbelieving and
gainsaying people. And yet, looking upon the very
same, He saith, ‘Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do.’
cf. Jn. 13: 21; Mt. 26: 24; Jn. 13: 26
R. One of My disciples shall betray Me this night.
Woe unto that man by whom I am betrayed: * It
would have been better for that man had he not
been born.
V. He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish,
the same shall betray Me into the hands of sinners. *
It would have been better for that man had he not
been born.
R. One of My disciples shall betray Me this night.
Woe unto that man by whom I am betrayed: * It
would have been better for that man had he not
been born.

The Third Nocturn

Antiphon 7
Dixi iníquis : * Nolíte loqui advérsus Deum I said unto the wicked: * Speak not wickedness
iniquitátem. against God.

- 13 -
 Psalm 74
C
ONFITÉBIMUR tibi, Deus : * confitébimur,
et invocábimus nomen tuum.
Narrábimus mirabília tua : * cum accé-
pero tempus, ego justítias judicábo.
Liquefácta est terra, et omnes qui
hábitant in ea : * ego confirmávi colúmnas ejus.
Dixi iníquis : Nolíte iníque ágere : * et delinquén-
tibus : Nolíte exaltáre cornu :
Nolíte extóllere in altum cornu vestrum : * nolíte
loqui advérsus Deum iniquitátem.
Quia neque ab Oriénte, neque ab Occidénte, ne-
que a desértis móntibus : * quóniam Deus judex est.
Hunc humíliat, et hunc exáltat : * quia calix in
manu Dómini vini meri plenus misto.
Et inclinávit ex hoc in hoc : verúmtamen fæx ejus
non est exinaníta : * bibent omnes peccatóres terræ.
Ego autem annuntiábo in sǽculum : * cantábo
Deo Jacob.
Et ómnia córnua peccatórum confríngam: * et
exaltabúntur córnua justi.
Ant. 7. Dixi iníquis : Nolíte loqui advérsus Deum
iniquitátem.
Antiphon 8
Terra trémuit * et quiévit, dum exsúrgeret in
judício Deus.
Psalm 75
N
OTUS in Judæa Deus : * in Israël magnum
nomen ejus.
Et factus est in pace locus ejus : * et
habitátio ejus in Sion.
Ibi confrégit poténtias árcuum : * scutum,
gládi-um, et bellum.
Illúminans tu mirabíliter a móntibus ætérnis : *
turbáti sunt omnes insipiéntes corde.
Dormiérunt somnum suum : * et nihil invenérunt
omnes viri divitiárum in mánibus suis.
Ab increpatióne tua, Deus Jacob, * dormitavérunt
qui ascendérunt equos.
Tu terríbilis es, et quis resístet tibi ? * ex tunc ira
tua.
De cælo audítum fecísti judícium : * terra trémuit
et quiévit.
Cum exsúrgeret in judícium Deus, * ut salvos
fáceret omnes mansuétos terræ.
Quóniam cogitátio hóminis confitébitur tibi : * et
relíquiæ cogitatiónis diem festum agent tibi.
- 14 -
W E shall praise Thee, O God, * we shall praise, and
call upon Thy Name.
We shall declare Thy wondrous works: * in mine
appointed time, I will judge the righteous.
The earth is melted, and all that dwell therein: * I
have established the pillars thereof.
I said unto the wicked, Deal not wickedly; * and
to the ungodly, Lift not up your horn.
Set not up your horn on high, * and speak not ini-
quity against God.
For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor
yet from the desert hills: * for God is the judge.
He putteth down one, and lifteth up another: * for
in the hand of the Lord there is a cup of strong wine,
fully mixed.
And He hath poured it out widely, but the dregs
thereof are not emptied; * all the sinners of the earth
shall drink.
But I will declare for ever: * I will sing unto the
God of Jacob.
And all the horns of sinners will I break, * but the
horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Ant. 7. I said unto the wicked: Speak not wicked-
ness against God.
The earth trembled * and was still, when God
arose in judgment.
G OD is renowned in Judea; * His Name is great in
Israel.
And His place is in peace, * and His abode in Sion.
There hath He broken the strength of the bow, *
the shield, the sword, and the battle.
Thou shinest forth wondrously from the ever-
lasting hills: * all the foolish of heart were troubled.
They have slept their sleep; * and all the men of
riches have found nothing in their hands.
At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, * they have all
slumbered that mounted on horseback.
Thou art fearsome, and who shall stand against
Thee * for the fury of Thy wrath?
Thou hast made judgment to be heard from
heaven: * the earth trembled, and was still,
When God arose for judgment, * to save all the
meek of the earth.
For the contemplation of man shall give praise to
Thee; * and the rest of their contemplation shall
keep a holy day unto Thee.
 Vovéte, et réddite Dómino Deo vestro : * omnes,
qui in circúitu ejus affértis múnera.
Terríbili et ei qui aufert spíritum príncipum, *
terríbili apud reges terræ.
Ant. 8. Terra trémuit et quiévit, dum exsúrgeret in
judício Deus.
Antiphon 9
In die tribulatiónis * meæ Deum exquisívi máni- In the day of my trouble * I sought God with my
bus meis. hands.
Psalm 76
V
OCE mea ad Dóminum clamávi : * voce
mea ad Deum, et inténdit mihi.
In die tribulatiónis meæ Deum exquisívi,
mánibus meis nocte contra eum : * et non
sum decéptus.
Rénuit consolári ánima mea, * memor fui Dei, et
delectátus sum, et exercitátus sum : et defécit spíri-
tus meus.
Anticipavérunt vigílias óculi mei : * turbátus sum,
et non sum locútus.
Cogitávi dies antíquos : * et annos ætérnos in
mente hábui.
Et meditátus sum nocte cum corde meo, * exer-
citábar, et scopébam spíritum meum.
Numquid in ætérnum projíciet Deus : * aut non
appónet ut complacítior sit adhuc ?
Aut in finem misericórdiam suam abscíndet, * a
generatióne in generatiónem ?
Aut obliviscétur miseréri Deus : * aut continébit
in ira sua misericórdias suas ?
Et dixi : Nunc cœpi : * hæc mutátio déxteræ Ex-
célsi.
Memor fui óperum Dómini : * quia memor ero ab
inítio mirabílium tuórum.
Et meditábor in ómnibus opéribus tuis : * et in
adinventiónibus tuis exercébor.
Deus, in sancto via tua : quis Deus magnus sicut
Deus noster? * tu es Deus qui facis mirabília.
Notam fecísti in pópulis virtútem tuam : * rede-
místi in bráchio tuo pópulum tuum fílios Jacob et
Joseph.
Vidérunt te aquæ, Deus, vidérunt te aquæ : * et
timuérunt et turbátæ sunt abyssi.
Multitúdo sónitus aquárum : * vocem dedérunt
nubes.
Etenim sagíttæ tuæ tránseunt : * vox tonítrui tui
in rota.
- 15 -
Vow ye, and pay unto the Lord your God: * all ye
that are round about Him bring presents,
Unto Him that is fearsome, even unto Him who
taketh away the spirit of princes, * unto the
fearsome among the kings of the earth.
Ant. 8. The earth trembled and was still, when
God arose in judgment.
I CRIED unto the Lord with my voice: * even unto
God with my voice, and He hath inclined unto me.
In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord, with
my hands stretched forth unto Him in the night: *
and I was not deceived.
My soul refused to be comforted; * I remembered
God, and was delighted, and troubled, and my
spirit grew faint.
Mine eyes remained open before the night watch-
es: * I was grieved, and spoke not.
I thought upon days of old, * and I had in my
mind the eternal years.
And I meditated in the night with mine own
heart, * I was disciplined and I swept out my spirit.
Will God then cast off for ever? * or will He never
be more favourable again?
Or will He cut off His mercy for ever? * from
generation to generation?
Or will God forget to show mercy? * or will He
shut up His loving-kindness in His wrath?
And I said, Now have I begun: * this is the change
in the right hand of the Most High.
I remembered the works of the Lord, * for I will
call to mind Thy wonders from the beginning.
I will meditate on all Thy works, * and I will be
disciplined in all Thy doings.
Thy way, O God, is in the holy place: who is so
great a God as our God? * Thou art the God that
workest wonders.
Thou hast made Thy power known among the
nations: * with Thine arm Thou hast redeemed Thy
people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw
Thee, * and they were afraid, and the depths also
were troubled.
Great was the noise of the waters: * the clouds
sent forth their voice.
For Thine arrows went abroad, * the voice of Thy
thunder was heard round about.
 Illuxérunt coruscatiónes tuæ orbi terræ : * com-
móta est, et contrémuit terra.
In mari via tua, et sémitæ tuæ in aquis multis : * et
vestígia tua non cognoscéntur.
Deduxísti sicut oves pópulum tuum, * in manu
Móysi et Aaron.
Ant. 9. In die tribulatiónis meæ Deum exquisívi
mánibus meis.
Thy lightnings shone upon the world; * the earth
was moved, and trembled.
Thy way is in the sea, and Thy paths in many
waters, * and Thy footsteps shall not be known.
Thou hast guided Thy people like sheep, * by the
hand of Moses and Aaron.
Ant. 9. In the day of my trouble I sought God
with my hands.

V. Exsúrge, Dómine. V. Arise, O Lord.

R. Et júdica causam meam. R. And judge my cause.

Pater noster secreto. Our Father in silence.

Lesson VII 1 Cor 11: 17 - 22

De Epístola prima beáti Pauli Apóstoli From the First Epistle of the Blessed Apostle
ad Corínthios. Paul to the Corinthians.

H
O C autem præcípio : non laudans quod
non in mélius, sed in detérius convenítis.
Primum quidem conveniéntibus vobis in
Ecclésiam, áudio scissúras esse inter vos, et
ex parte credo. Nam opórtet et hæréses esse, ut et
qui probáti sunt, manifésti fiant in vobis. Conveni-
éntibus ergo vobis in unum, jam non est Domíni-
cam cœnam manducáre. Unusquísque enim suam
cœnam præsúmit ad manducándum. Et álius qui-
dem ésurit, álius autem ébrius est. Numquid do-
mos non habétis ad manducándum et bibéndum ?
aut Ecclésiam Dei contém-nitis, et confúnditis eos,
qui non habent ? Quid dicam vobis ? Laudo vos ? In
hoc non laudo.
N OW in this, I declare unto you that I praise you
not, that ye come together not for the better, but for
the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in
the Church, I hear that there be divisions among
you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be
heresies among you, that they which are approved
may be made manifest among you. When ye come
together therefore into one place, it is not to eat the
Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before
other his own supper: and one is hungry, and
another is drunken. What? have ye not houses in
which to eat and to drink? or despise ye the Church
of God, and shame ye them that have not? What
shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this, I
praise you not.

The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the responsory is said immediately.

Responsory VII cf. Ps. 70: 10; Jer. 11: 19; Ps. 40: 8, 9
R. Eram quasi agnus ínnocens : ductus sum ad R. Behold, I was like an innocent lamb; I was led
immolándum, et nesciébam : consílium fecérunt ini- to the sacrifice, and I knew not that Mine enemies
míci mei advérsum me, dicéntes : * Veníte, mittá- had devised devices against Me, saying: * Come, let
mus lignum in panem ejus, et eradámus eum de us put poison into His bread, and let us cut Him off
terra vivéntium. from the land of the living.
V. Omnes inimíci mei advérsum me cogitábant V. All Mine enemies devised My hurt against Me;
mala mihi : verbum iníquum mandavérunt advér- they plotted together to do Me evil, saying: * Come,
sum me, dicéntes. * Veníte, mittámus lignum in pa- let us put poison into His bread, and let us cut Him
nem ejus, et eradámus eum de terra vivéntium. off from the land of the living.
Lesson VIII 1 Cor. 11: 23 - 26

E
GO enim accépi a Dómino quod et trádidi
vobis, quóniam Dóminus Jesus, in qua
nocte tradebátur, accépit panem, et grátias
agens fregit, et dixit : Accípite, et mandu-
F OR I have received of the Lord that which I also
delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, on the
same night in which He was betrayed, took bread,
and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and

- 16 -
cáte : hoc est corpus meum, quod pro vobis tradé-
tur : hoc fácite in meam commemoratiónem. Simí-
liter et cálicem, postquam cœnávit, dicens : Hic calix
novum testaméntum est in meo sánguine : hoc
fácite, quotiescúmque bibétis, in meam commemo-
ratiónem. Quotiescúmque enim manducábitis pa-
nem hunc, et cálicem bibétis, mortem Dómini an-
nuntiábitis donec véniat.
Responsory VIII
R. Una hora non potuístis vigiláre mecum, qui
exhortabámini mori pro me ? * Vel Judam non vidé-
tis, quómodo non dormit, sed festínat trádere me
Judæis.
V. Quid dormítis ? súrgite, et oráte, ne intrétis in
tentatiónem. * Vel Judam non vidétis, quómodo non
dormit, sed festínat trádere me Judæis.
Lesson IX
J
T A Q U E quicúmque manducáverit panem
hunc, vel bíberit cálicem Dómini indígne, re-
us erit córporis et sánguinis Dómini. Probet
autem seípsum homo : et sic de pane illo
edat, et de cálice bibat. Qui enim mandúcat et bibit
indígne, judícium sibi mandúcat et bibit, non dijú-
dicans corpus Dómini. Ideo inter vos multi infírmi
et imbecílles, et dórmiunt multi. Quod, si nosmetíp-
sos dijudicarémus, non útique judicarémur. Dum
judicámur autem, a Dómino corrípimur, ut non cum
hoc mundo damnémur. Itaque, fratres mei, cum
convenítis ad manducándum, ínvicem exspectáte.
Si quis ésurit, domi mandúcet : ut non in judícium
conveniátis. Cétera autem, cum vénero, dispónam.
Responsory IX
R. Senióres pópuli consílium fecérunt, * Ut Jesum
dolo tenérent, et occíderent : cum gládiis et fústibus
exiérunt tamquam ad latrónem.
V. Collegérunt pontífices et pharisæi concílium. *
Ut Jesum dolo tenérent, et occíderent : cum gládiis
et fústibus exiérunt tamquam ad latrónem.
R. Senióres pópuli consílium fecérunt, * Ut Jesum
dolo tenérent, et occíderent : cum gládiis et fústibus
exiérunt tamquam ad latrónem.
Thus ends the Office of Matins, and immediately the Office of Lauds begins.
- 17 -
said: Take, eat: this is My Body, Which is broken for
you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same
manner also, He took the cup after He had supped,
saying: This cup is the New Testament in My Blood:
this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of
Me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this
cup, do ye show forth the Lord’s death, till He come.
cf. Mt. 26: 40; Lk. 22: 46
R. Could ye not watch with Me one hour, ye that
exhorted each other to die for Me? * Or see ye not
Judas yonder, how he sleepeth not, but maketh
haste to betray Me to the Jews?
V. Why sleep ye? Rise, and pray, lest ye enter
into temptation. * Or see ye not Judas yonder, how
he sleepeth not, but maketh haste to betray Me to
the Jews?
1 Cor. 11: 37 - 34
T HEREFORE , whosoever shall eat this bread and
drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guil-
ty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. But let a man
examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread,
and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drink-
eth unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to
himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this
cause many are weak and sickly among you, and
many sleep. For if we judged ourselves, we should
not thus be judged. But whilst we are judged, we
are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be
condemned with the world. Wherefore, my breth-
ren, when ye come together to eat, wait ye one for
another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at
home; that ye come not together unto condem-
nation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
cf. Mt. 26: 3, 4, 47, 55; Jn. 11: 47
R. The elders of the people consulted together, *
That they might take Jesus by trickery, and put Him
to death: they came out as against a thief with
swords and staves, for to take Him.
V. Then gathered the chief priests and the Phari-
sees a council. * That they might take Jesus by
trickery, and put Him to death: they came out as
against a thief with swords and staves, for to take
Him.
R. The elders of the people consulted together, *
That they might take Jesus by trickery, and put Him
to death: they came out as against a thief with
swords and staves, for to take Him.
 LAUDS
Antiphon 1
Justificéris, Dómine, * in sermónibus tuis, et vin-
cas cum judicáris.
Psalm 50
M
ISERÉRE mei Deus, * secúndum mag-
nam misericórdiam tuam.
Et secúndum multitúdinem miserati-
ónum tuárum, * dele iniquitátem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitáte mea :
* et a peccáto meo munda me.
Quóniam iniquitátem meam ego cognósco : * et
peccátum meum contra me est semper.
Tibi soli peccávi, et malum coram te feci : * ut jus-
tificéris in sermónibus tuis, et vincas cum judicáris.
Ecce enim in iniquitátibus concéptus sum : * et in
peccátis concépit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritátem dilexísti : * incérta et occúlta
sapiéntiæ tuæ manifestásti mihi.
Aspérges me hyssópo, et mundábor : * lavábis me,
et super nivem dealbábor.
Audítui meo dabis gáudium et lætítiam : * et ex-
sultábunt ossa humiliáta.
Avérte fáciem tuam a peccátis meis : * et omnes
iniquitátes meas dele.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus : * et spíritum rec-
tum ínnova in viscéribus meis.
Ne projícias me a fácie tua : * et spíritum sanctum
tuum ne áuferas a me.
Redde mihi lætítiam salutáris tui : * et spíritu
prin-cipáli confírma me.
Docébo iníquos vias tuas : * et ímpii ad te conver-
téntur.
Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus salútis
meæ : * et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.
Dómine, lábia mea apéries : * et os meum an-
nuntiábit laudem tuam.
Quóniam si voluísses sacrifícium dedíssem úti-
que : * holocáustis non delectáberis.
Sacrifícium Deo spíritus contribulátus : * cor con-
trítum, et humiliátum, Deus non despícies.
Benígne fac, Dómine, in bona voluntáte tua Sion :
* ut ædificéntur muri Jerúsalem.
- 18 -
Mayst Thou be justified, O Lord, * in Thy words,
and mayst Thou overcome when Thou shalt judge.
H AVE mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy
great mercy.
And according to the multitude of Thy tender
mercies, * blot out mine iniquity.
Wash me yet more from mine iniquity, * and
cleanse me from my sin.
For I know mine iniquity, * and my sin is always
before me.
Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil in
Thy sight; * that Thou mayst be justified in Thy
words, and mayst overcome when Thou shalt judge.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, * and in
sins did my mother conceive me.
But lo, Thou hast desired truth: * the uncertain
and hidden things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made
manifest to me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall
be cleansed; * Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be
made whiter than snow.
To my hearing Thou shalt give joy and gladness: *
and the bones that have been broken shall rejoice.
Turn away Thy face from my sins, * and blot out
all my iniquities.
Create a clean heart in me, O God, * and renew a
right spirit in my inmost parts.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, * and take
not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, * and
strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I shall teach Thy ways to the wicked, * and the
ungodly shall be converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, Thou God of
my salvation; * and my tongue shall extol Thy
justice.
O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips, * and my mouth
shall declare Thy praise.
For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I woud indeed
have given it: * but Thou delightest not in burnt-
offerings.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: * a contrite
and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Deal favourably, O Lord, in Thy good will with
Sion; * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
 Tunc acceptábis sacrifícium justítiæ, oblatiónes, et
holocáusta : * tunc impónent super altáre tuum vítu-
los.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the first antiphon is immediately repeated:
Ant. 1. Justificéris, Dómine, in sermónibus tuis, et
vincas cum judicáris.
Antiphon 2
Dóminus * tamquam ovis ad víctimam ductus est,
et non apéruit os suum.
Psalm 89
D
ÓMINE, refúgium factus es nobis : * a ge-
neratióne et generatiónem.
Priúsquam montes fíerent, aut forma-
rétur terra et orbis : * a sǽculo et usque in
sǽculum tu es, Deus.
Ne avértas hóminem in humilitátem : * et dixísti :
Convertímini, fílii hóminum.
Quóniam mille anni ante óculos tuos, * tamquam
dies hestérna, quæ prætériit.
Et custódia in nocte, * quæ pro níhilo habéntur,
eórum anni erunt.
Mane sicut herba tránseat, mane flóreat, et tráns-
eat : * véspere décidat, indúret et aréscat.
Quia defécimus in ira tua, * et in furóre tuo
turbáti sumus.
Posuísti iniquitátes nostras in conspéctu tuo : *
sǽculum nostrum in illuminatióne vultus tui.
Quóniam omnes dies nostri defecérunt : * et in ira
tua defécimus.
Anni nostri sicut aránea meditabúntur : * dies an-
nórum nostrórum in ipsis, septuagínta anni.
Si autem in potentátibus, octogínta anni : * et ám-
plius eórum, labor et dolor.
Quóniam supervénit mansuetúdo : * et corripié-
mur.
Quis novit potestátem iræ tuæ : * et præ timóre
tuo iram tuam dinumeráre ?
Déxteram tuam sic notam fac : * et erudítos corde
in sapiéntia.
Convértere, Dómine, úsquequo ? * et deprecábilis
esto super servos tuos.
Repléti sumus mane misericórdia tua : * et exsul-
távimus, et delectáti sumus ómnibus diébus nostris.
- 19 -
Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice,
oblations and whole burnt offerings; * then shall
they lay calves upon Thine altar.
Ant. 1. Mayst Thou be justified, O Lord, in Thy
words, and mayst Thou overcome when Thou shalt
judge.
The Lord, * like a lamb, is led to the slaughter, and
He opened not His mouth.
L ORD , Thou hast been our refuge, * from genera-
tion unto generation.
Before the mountains were made, or the earth
and the world were formed, * from everlasting to
everlasting, Thou art God.
Turn not man away to be brought low; * Thou
hast said, Be ye converted, O children of men.
For a thousand years in Thy sight * are but as
yesterday, which is past.
And as a watch in the night, * their years shall be
as things that are counted as nought.
In the morning he shall grow up like the grass,
yea, in the morning he shall flourish and pass away;
* in the evening he shall fall down, dry up, and
wither away.
For in Thy wrath we are consumed, * and are
grieved at Thine indignation.
Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee; * and
our life in the light of Thy countenance.
For all our days are have passed away: * and in
Thy wrath we are consumed.
Our years shall be considered as a spider web: *
the days of our years are threescore years and ten.
But if in the strong they be fourscore years, * yet
most of them be but labour and sorrow.
For meekness hath come upon us, * and we shall
be swept away.
Who knoweth the power of Thy wrath? * and
who can measure Thine anger for fear of Thee?
So make known Thy right hand, * and men
learned in heart, in wisdom.
Return, O Lord, how long? * and be gracious unto
Thy servants.
We are filled in the morning with Thy mercy, * and
we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.
 Lætáti sumus pro diébus, quibus nos humiliásti : *
annis, quibus vídimus mala.
Réspice in servos tuos, et in ópera tua : * et dírige
fílios eórum.
Et sit splendor Dómini Dei nostri super nos, et
ópera mánuum nostrárum dírige super nos : * et
opus mánuum nostrárum dírige.
Ant. 2. Dóminus tamquam ovis ad víctimam duc-
tus est, et non apéruit os suum.
Antiphon 3
Contrítum est * cor meum in médio mei, contre-
muérunt ómnia ossa mea.
Psalm 35
D
IXIT injústus ut delínquat in semetípso : *
non est timor Dei ante óculos ejus.
Quóniam dolóse egit in conspéctu ejus : *
ut inveniátur iníquitas ejus ad ódium.
Verba oris ejus iníquitas, et dolus : * nóluit intel-
lígere ut bene ágeret.
Iniquitátem meditátus est in cubíli suo : * ástitit
omni viæ non bonæ, malítiam autem non odívit.
Dómine, in cælo misericórdia tua : * et véritas tua
usque ad nubes.
Justítia tua sicut montes Dei : * judícia tua
abyssus multa.
Hómines, et juménta salvábis, Dómine : * quem-
ádmodum multiplicásti misericórdiam tuam, Deus.
Fílii autem hóminum, * in tégmine alárum tuá-
rum sperábunt.
Inebriabúntur ab ubertáte domus tuæ : * et tor-
rénte voluptátis tuæ potábis eos.
Quóniam apud te est fons vitæ : * et in lúmine tuo
vidébimus lumen.
Præténde misericórdiam tuam sciéntibus te, * et
justítiam tuam his, qui recto sunt corde.
Non véniat mihi pes supérbiæ : * et manus pecca-
tóris non móveat me.
Ibi cecidérunt qui operántur iniquitátem : *
expúlsi sunt, nec potuérunt stare.
Ant. 3. Contrítum est cor meum in médio mei,
contremuérunt ómnia ossa mea.
Antiphon 4
Exhortátus es * in virtúte tua, et in refectióne sanc-
ta tua, Dómine.
- 20 -
We have rejoiced for the days wherein Thou hast
humbled us; * and for the years wherein we have
seen evils.
Look upon Thy servants, and upon Thy works: *
and direct their children.
And let brightness of the Lord our God be upon
us: and direct Thou the works of our hands over us;
* yea, guide Thou the work of our hands.
Ant. 2. The Lord, like a lamb, is led to the slaugh-
ter, and He opened not His mouth.
My heart within me * is broken: all my bones
shake.
T HE unjust hath said within himself that he would
sin: * there is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he hath done deceitfully in his own sight, *
that his wickedness be found out unto hatred.
The words of his mouth are iniquity and guile: *
he would not understand that he might do good.
He deviseth mischief upon his bed, * and hath set
himself on every way that is not good: * but evil He
hath not hated.
O Lord, Thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, *
and Thy truth unto the clouds.
Thy righteousness is as the mountains of God: *
Thy judgments are the great deep.
Thou, Lord, shalt save both man and beast: * how
excellent is Thy mercy, O God.
But the children of men * shall put their trust
under the shadow of Thy wings.
They shall be inebriated with the plenteousness
of Thy house; * and Thou shalt give them drink of
the torrent of Thy pleasure.
For with Thee is the fountain of life; * and in Thy
light shall we see light.
Extend Thy mercy unto them that know Thee, *
and Thy righteousness unto the upright of heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me; * and
let not the hand of the sinner cast me down.
There are they fallen, all that work wickedness; *
they are cast out, and are not able to stand.
Ant. 3. The Lord, as a lamb, is led to the slaughter,
and He opened not His mouth.
Thou hast exhorted us * by Thy strength, and in
Thy holy banquet, O Lord.
 Canticle of Moses
C
A N T É M U S Dómino glorióse enim magni-
ficátus est, * equum et ascensórem dejécit
in mare.
Fortitúdo mea, et laus mea Dóminus, *
et factus est mihi in salútem.
Iste Deus meus, et glorificábo eum : * Deus patris
mei, et exaltábo eum.
Dóminus quasi vir pugnátor, (hic fit reverentia)
Omnípotens nomen ejus : * Currus Pharaónis et
exércitum ejus projécit in mare.
Elécti príncipes ejus submérsi sunt in mari Rubro :
* abyssi operuérunt eos, descendérunt in profún-
dum quasi lapis.
Déxtera tua, Dómine, magnificáta est in forti-
túdine : déxtera tua, Dómine, percússit inimícum. *
Et in multitúdine glóriæ tuæ deposuísti adversários
tuos.
Misísti iram tuam, quæ devorávit eos sicut stí-
pulam. * Et in spíritu furóris tui congregátæ sunt
aquæ :
Stetit unda fluens, * congregátæ sunt abyssi in
mé-dio mari.
Dixit inimícus : Pérsequar et comprehéndam, *
dívidam spólia, implébitur ánima mea :
Evaginábo gládium meum, * interfíciet eos manus
mea.
Flavit spíritus tuus, et opéruit eos mare : * sub-
mérsi sunt quasi plumbum in aquis veheméntibus.
Quis símilis tui in fórtibus, Dómine ? * quis
símilis tui, magníficus in sanctitáte, terríbilis atque
laudábilis, fáciens mirabília ?
Extendísti manum tuam, et devorávit eos terra. *
Dux fuísti in misericórdia tua pópulo quem rede-
místi :
Et portásti eum in fortitúdine tua, * ad habitácu-
lum sanctum tuum.
Ascendérunt pópuli, et iráti sunt : * dolóres ob-
tinuérunt habitatóres Philísthiim.
Tunc conturbáti sunt príncipes Edom, robústos
Moab obtínuit tremor : * obriguérunt omnes habita-
tóres Chánaan.
Irruat super eos formído et pavor, * in magni-
túdine bráchii tui :
Fiant immóbiles quasi lapis, donec pertránseat
pópulus tuus, Dómine, * donec pertránseat pópulus
tuus iste, quem possedísti.
Introdúces eos, et plantábis in monte hereditátis
tuæ, * firmíssimo habitáculo tuo quod operátus es,
Dómine.
- 21 -
Ex. 15: 1-19
L ET us sing to the Lord, for He is gloriously mag-
nified; * the horse and his rider hath He thrown
into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my praise, * and He
is become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will glorify Him; * the God
of my father, and I will exalt Him.
The Lord is a mighty man of war, (here, all bow)
Almighty is his Name. * Pharaoh’s chariots and his
army He hath cast into the Sea.
His chosen captains are drowned in the Red Sea: *
the depths have covered them, they sank down to
the bottom like a stone.
Thy right hand, O Lord, is magnified in strength;
Thy right hand, O Lord, hath slain the enemy. *
And in the multitude of Thy glory hast Thou put
down Thine adversaries.
Thou hast sent forth Thy wrath, which hath
devoured them like stubble. * And with the blast of
Thine anger the waters were gathered together.
The flowing water stood upright: * the depths
were gathered together in the midst of the sea.
The enemy said: I will pursue and overtake, * I
will divide the spoils; my soul shall have its fill.
I will draw my sword, * my hand shall slay them.
Thy Spirit blew and the sea did cover them; * they
sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto Thee among the mighty, O Lord?
* who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, fear-
some and praiseworthy, working wondrous deeds?
Thou stretchedst forth Thy hand, and the earth
did swallow them; * in Thy mercy Thou hast been a
leader unto the people which Thou hast redeemed.
And in Thy strength Thou hast carried them, *
even unto Thy holy habitation.
Nations rose up, and were angry; * sorrows took
hold on the inhabitants of Palestine.
Then were the princes of Edom dismayed;
trembling seized on the mighty men of Moab; * all
the inhabitants of Canaan did become stiff.
Let fear and dread fall upon them; * in the
greatness of Thine arm.
Let them be as still as a stone, * till Thy people
pass over, O Lord, which Thou hast possessed.
For Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in
the mountain of Thine inheritance, * in Thy most
firm habitation which Thou hast made, O Lord.
 Sanctuárium tuum, Dómine, quod firmavérunt
manus tuæ. * Dóminus regnábit in ætérnum et ultra.
Ingréssus est enim eques Phárao cum cúrribus et
equítibus ejus in mare : * et redúxit super eos Dó-
minus aquas maris :
Fílii autem Israël ambulavérunt per siccum * in
médio ejus.
Ant. 4. Exhortátus es in virtúte tua, et in re-
fectióne sancta tua, Dómine.
Antiphon 5
Oblátus est * quia ipse vóluit, et peccáta nostra
ipse portávit.
Even Thy sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands
have established; * the Lord shall reign from one
eternity to another.
For Pharaoh went in on horseback with his
chariots and horsemen into the sea, * and the Lord
brought back the waters of the sea upon them.
But the children of Israel, they did walk on dry
land * in the midst thereof.
Ant. 4. Thou hast exhorted us by Thy strength,
and in Thy holy banquet, O Lord.
He hath offered Himself up * because He hath
willed it, and He Himself hath carried our sins.

Psalm 146

L
A U D Á T E Dóminum quóniam bonus est
psalmus : * Deo nostro sit jucúnda, decó-
raque laudátio.
Ædíficans Jerúsalem Dóminus : * disper-
siónes Israël congregábit.
Qui sanat contrítos corde : * et álligat contritiónes
illórum.
Qui númerat multitúdinem stellárum : * et ómni-
bus eis nómina vocat.
Magnus Dóminus noster, et magna virtus ejus : *
et sapiéntiæ ejus non est númerus.
Suscípiens mansuétos Dóminus : * humílians au-
tem peccatóres usque ad terram.
Præcínite Dómino in confessióne : * psállite Deo
nostro in cíthara.
Qui óperit cælum núbibus : * et parat terræ plú-
viam.
Qui prodúcit in móntibus fœnum : * et herbam
servitúti hóminum.
Qui dat juméntis escam ipsórum : * et pullis cor-
vórum invocántibus eum.
Non in fortitúdine equi voluntátem habébit : * nec
in tíbiis viri beneplácitum erit ei.
Beneplácitum est Dómino super timéntes eum : *
et in eis, qui sperant super misericórdia ejus.
Ant. 5. Oblátus est quia ipse vóluit, et peccáta
nostra ipse portávit.
O PRAISE ye the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing
praises: * unto our God be joyful and seemly praise.
The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: * He shall
gather together the dispersed of Israel.
He healeth the broken-hearted, * and bindeth up
their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars, * and calleth
them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and great is His power; * yea,
and His wisdom is infinite.
The Lord lifteth up the meek, * and bringeth the
wicked down even to the ground.
O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; * sing
praises on the harp unto our God:
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, * and
prepareth rain for the earth.
Who maketh the grass to grow upon the moun-
tains, * and herb for the service of men.
Who giveth to beasts their fodder, * and feedeth
the young ravens that call upon Him.
He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse; *
neither delighteth he in the legs of man.
But the Lord’s delight is in them that fear Him, *
and put their trust in His mercy.
Ant. 5. He hath offered Himself up because He
hath willed it, and He Himself hath carried our sins.

All of the candles on the triangular candelabra have now been extinguished, save one, which remains lit at the
highest point of the candelabra.
Chapter and hymn are not said during the Sacred Triduum, but the Versicle follows immediately:
V. Homo pacis meæ, in quo sperávi. V. Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted.
R. Qui edébat panes meos, ampliávit advérsum R. Who also hath eaten of My bread, hath lain in
me supplantatiónem. wait against Me.

- 22 -
 Antiphon at the Benedictus
Tráditor autem * dedit eis signum, dicens : Quem Now His betrayer * gave them a sign, saying: He
osculátus fúero, ipse est, tenéte eum. Whom I shall kiss, He is the one; hold Him fast.

During the Canticle Benedictus, the six candles on the altar are extinguished gradually, one by one, so that the last
candle is put out at the last verse. All the lights and lamps throughout the Church are then put out.

Canticle of Zachary: Benedictus Lk. 1: 68-79

B
E N E D Í C T U S
Dóminus Deus Israël : *
quia visitávit, et fecit redemptiónem ple-
bis suæ :
Et eréxit cornu salútis nobis : * in domo
David, púeri sui.
Sicut locútus est per os sanctórum, * qui a sǽculo
sunt, prophetárum ejus :
Salútem ex inimícis nostris, * et de manu ómnium,
qui odérunt nos :
Ad faciéndam misericórdiam cum pátribus nos-
tris, * et memorári testaménti sui sancti :
Jusjurándum, quod jurávit ad Abraham patrem
nostrum, * datúrum se nobis :
Ut sine timóre, de manu inimicórum nostrórum
liberáti, * serviámus illi :
In sanctitáte, et justítia coram ipso, * ómnibus dié-
bus nostris.
Et tu, puer, Prophéta Altíssimi vocáberis : * præ-
íbis enim ante fáciem Dómini, paráre vias ejus :
Ad dandam sciéntiam salútis plebi ejus : * in re-
missiónem peccatórum eórum :
Per víscera misericórdiæ Dei nostri : * in quibus
visitávit nos, óriens ex alto :
Illumináre his, qui in ténebris, et in umbra mortis
sedent: * ad dirigéndos pedes nostros in viam pacis.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the antiphon is immediately repeated.
Ant. Tráditor autem dedit eis signum, dicens :
Quem osculátus fúero, ipse est, tenéte eum.
B LESSED
be the Lord God of Israel; * because He
hath visited and wrought the redemption of His
people;
And hath raised up a horn of Salvation to us, * in
the house of David, His servant;
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, *
who are from the beginning:
Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hands
of all that hate us;
To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remem-
ber His holy testament;
The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father,
* that He would grant to us,
That being delivered from the hand of our ene-
mies, * we may serve Him without fear,
In holiness and justice before Him, * all our days.
And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the
Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the
Lord to prepare His ways;
To give knowledge of salvation to His people, *
unto the remission of their sins:
Through the tender mercy of our God, * in which
the Day-spring from on high hath visited us;
To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the
shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of
peace.
Ant. Now His betrayer gave them a sign, saying:
He Whom I shall kiss, He is the one; hold Him fast.

The highest candle on the candelabra is taken and hidden behind the altar on the Epistle side. Then, all kneel for the
Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion.

C
H R I S T U S factus est pro nobis obédiens us- C HRIST became obedient for our sake unto death.
que ad mortem.

Then Lord’s Prayer is said in complete silence.

Then,without Orémus, the Collect is said:

- 23 -
 Collect

R
ÉSPICE, quǽsumus, Dómine, super hanc fa- A LMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee, look down gra-
míliam tuam, pro qua Dóminus noster Jesus ciously upon this, Thy family, for whom our Lord
Christus non dubitávit mánibus tradi no- Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be betrayed into the
céntium, et crucis subíre torméntum. hands of wicked men, and to suffer the torment of
the Cross.
The conclusion is said in silence.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Who with Thee livest and reignest in the unity of
Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Then the strepitus, a loud sound made by knocking on the choir benches, is made. This symbolises the convulsions
of nature which occurred when our Lord died on the Cross: the earth trembled, the sun was darkenened, rocks were
split asunder, and the bodies of the dead came forth from their tombs.

When the lighted candle reappears, all rise in silence.

Thus end the Offices of Tenebræ.

- 24 -
 GOOD FRIDAY
MATINS
The First Nocturn
Antiphon 1
Astitérunt reges terræ, * et príncipes convenérunt The kings of the earth * have arisen, and the ru-
in unum, advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum lers have taken counsel together, against the Lord
ejus. and against His Christ.

Psalm 2

Q
UARE fremuérunt Gentes : * et pópuli
meditáti sunt inánia ?
Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes
convenérunt in unum * advérsus Dómi-
num, et advérsus Christum ejus.
Dirumpámus víncula eórum : * et projiciámus a
nobis jugum ipsórum.
Qui hábitat in cælis, irridébit eos : * et Dóminus
subsannábit eos.
Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo
conturbábit eos.
Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion
montem sanctum ejus, * prædicans præcéptum ejus.
Dóminus dixit ad me : * Fílius meus es tu, ego
hódie génui te.
Póstula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hereditátem tu-
am, * et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
W HY have the Gentiles raged, * and the people
devised folly?
The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes
met together, * against the Lord, and against His
Christ.
Let us break their bonds asunder, * and cast away
their yoke.
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to
scorn: * the Lord shall deride them.
Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, *
and trouble them in His rage.
Yet I am appointed King by Him upon Sion, His
holy mountain, * preaching His commandment.
The Lord hath said unto Me : * Thou art My Son,
this day have I begotten Thee.
Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the Gentiles for
Thine inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the
earth for Thy possession.

- 25 -
 Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and
confrínges eos. break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Et nunc, reges, intellígite : * erudímini, qui judi- And now, O ye kings, understand: * receive
cátis terram. instruction, O ye that judge the earth.
Servíte Dómino in timóre : * et exsultáte ei cum Serve ye the Lord in fear, * and rejoice unto Him
tremóre. with trembling.
Apprehéndite disciplínam, nequándo irascátur Dó- Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be
minus, * et pereátis de via justa. angry, * and so ye perish from the right way.
Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus : * beáti omnes qui If His wrath be kindled, yea, but in a short time
confídunt in eo. * blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the first antiphon is immediately repeated:
Ant. 1. Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes con- Ant. 1. The kings of the earth have arisen, and
venérunt in unum, advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus the rulers have taken counsel together, against the
Christum ejus. Lord and against His Christ.
After the first psalm with its antiphon, one of the candles on the triangular candelabra is extinguished. Similarly,
after each of the other psalms throughout both Matins and Lauds, one of the fifteen candles on the candelabra is
extinguished.
Antiphon 2
Divisérunt sibi * vestiménta mea, et super vestem They have divided my clothing * among them,
meam misérunt sortem. and for my vesture have they cast lots.
Psalm 21

D
EUS, Deus meus, réspice in me : quare me O G OD , my God, look upon me; why hast Thou
dereliquísti ? * longe a salúte mea verba forsaken me? * far from my salvation are the words
delictórum meórum.
Deus meus, clamábo per diem, et non
exáudies : * et nocte, et non ad insipiéntiam mihi.
Tu autem in sancto hábitas : * laus Israël.
In te speravérunt patres nostri : * speravérunt, et
liberásti eos.
Ad te clamavérunt, et salvi facti sunt : * in te spe-
ravérunt, et non sunt confúsi.
Ego autem sum vermis, et non homo : * oppró-
brium hóminum, et abjéctio plebis.
Omnes vidéntes me derisérunt me : * locúti sunt
lábiis, et movérunt caput.
Sperávit in Dómino, erípiat eum : * salvum fáciat
eum, quóniam vult eum.
Quóniam tu es, qui extraxísti me de ventre : * spes
mea ab ubéribus matris meæ.
In te projéctus sum ex útero : de ventre matris
meæ Deus meus es tu, * ne discésseris a me :
Quóniam tribulátio próxima est : * quóniam non
est qui ádjuvet.
Circumdedérunt me vítuli multi : * tauri pingues
obsedérunt me.
of my sins.
O my God, I will cry by day, but Thou shalt not
hear; * and at night, and it shall not be reputed as
folly in me.
But Thou dwellest in the holy place, * O Thou, the
praise of Israel.
In Thee did our fathers hope: * they trusted in
Thee, and Thou didst deliver them.
They cried to Thee, and were saved; * they
trusted in Thee, and were not confounded.
But as for me, I am a worm, and no man; * the
reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.
All they that see me have laughed me to scorn; *
they have spoken with their lips, and wagged their
heads:
He trusted in the Lord; let Him save him: * let
Him deliver him, if He delight in him.
For Thou art He that took me out of my mother’s
womb; * Thou wast my hope from my mother’s
breasts.
I was cast upon Thee from the womb: even from
my mother’s womb Thou art my God, * O depart
not from me.
For trouble is hard at hand, * and there is none to
help me.
Many oxen have surrounded me; * strong bulls
close me in on every side.

- 26 -
 Aperuérunt super me os suum : * sicut leo rápiens
et rúgiens.
Sicut aqua effúsus sum : * et dispérsa sunt ómnia
ossa mea.
Factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquéscens : *
in médio ventris mei.
Aruit tamquam testa virtus mea, et lingua mea ad-
hæsit fáucibus meis : * et in púlverem mortis
deduxísti me.
Quóniam circumdedérunt me canes multi : * con-
cílium malignántium obsédit me.
Fodérunt manus meas et pedes meos : * dinume-
ravérunt ómnia ossa mea.
Ipsi vero consíderavérunt et inspexérunt me : * di-
visérunt sibi vestiménta mea, et super vestem meam
misérunt sortem.
Tu autem, Dómine, ne elongáveris auxílium tuum
a me : * ad defensiónem meam cónspice.
Erue a frámea, Deus, ánimam meam : * et de
manu canis únicam meam.
Salva me ex ore leónis : * et a córnibus unicór-
nium humilitátem meam.
Narrábo nomen tuum frátribus meis: * in médio
Ecclésiæ laudábo te.
Qui timétis Dóminum, laudáte eum : * univérsum
semen Jacob, glorificáte eum.
Tímeat eum omne semen Israël : * quóniam non
sprevit, neque despéxit deprecatiónem páuperis :
Nec avértit fáciem suam a me : * et cum clamárem
ad eum, exaudívit me.
Apud te laus mea in ecclésia magna : * vota mea
reddam in conspéctu timéntium eum.
Edent páuperes, et saturabúntur : et laudábunt
Dóminum qui requírunt eum : * vivent corda eórum
in sǽculum sǽculi.
Reminiscéntur et converténtur ad Dóminum * uni-
vérsi fines terræ :
Et adorábunt in conspéctu ejus * univérsæ famíliæ
Géntium.
Quóniam Dómini est regnum : * et ipse domi-
nábitur Géntium.
Manducavérunt et adoravérunt omnes pingues ter-
ræ : * in conspéctu ejus cadent omnes qui descén-
dunt in terram.
Et ánima mea illi vivet : * et semen meum sérviet
ipsi.
Annuntiábitur Dómino generátio ventúra : * et an-
nuntiábunt cæli justítiam ejus pópulo qui nascétur,
quem fecit Dóminus.
- 27 -
They gape upon me with their mouths, * as a
ravening and roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, * and all my bones are
scattered.
My heart also is become like melting wax * in the
midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my
tongue hath cleaved to my jaws, * and Thou hast
brought me down into the dust of death.
For many dogs have surrounded me, * and a
council of the wicked hath laid siege against me.
They have pierced my hands and my feet: * they
have numbered all my bones.
They have stood staring and looking upon me: *
they have parted my garments among them, and for
my vesture they cast lots.
But Thou, O Lord, remove not Thy help far away
from me; * look towards my defense.
Deliver my soul from the sword, O God, * mine
only one from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion’s mouth; * and my lowness
from the horns of the unicorns.
I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren; * in
the midst of the Church will I praise Thee.
O praise the Lord, ye that fear Him: * give glory to
Him, all ye of the seed of Jacob.
And fear him, all ye seed of Israel: * for He hath
not despised nor abhorred the supplication of the
poor.
Neither hath He hid His face from me; * and when
I called unto Him, He heard me.
My praise is of Thee in the great assembly; * my
vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear
Him.
The poor shall eat, and be filled; they that seek
after the Lord shall praise Him: * their hearts shall
live for ever and ever.
All the ends of the world shall remember, * and be
converted unto the Lord :
And all the kindreds of the nations * shall worship
before Him.
For the kingdom is the Lord’s, * and He shall have
dominion over the nations.
All the fat ones of earth have eaten, and wor-
shipped: * all they that go down into the earth shall
fall before Him.
And unto Him my soul shall live: * and my seed
shall serve Him.
They shall be declared unto the Lord a generation
to come, * and the heavens shall declare His righ-
teousness unto a people that shall be born, whom
the Lord hath made.
 Ant. 2. Divisérunt sibi vestiménta mea, et super
vestem meam misérunt sortem.
Antiphon 3
Insurrexérunt in me * testes iníqui, et mentíta est
iníquitas sibi.
Psalm 26
D
Ó M I N U S illuminátio mea, et salus mea, *
quem timébo ?
Dóminus protéctor vitæ meæ, * a quo
trepidabo ?
Dum apprópiant super me nocéntes, * ut edant
carnes meas :
Qui tríbulant me inimíci mei, * ipsi infirmáti sunt
et cecidérunt.
Si consístant advérsum me castra, * non timébit
cor meum.
Si exsúrgat advérsum me prælium, * in hoc ego
sperábo.
Unam pétii a Dómino, hanc requíram, * ut inhá-
bitem in domo Dómini ómnibus diébus vitæ meæ :
Ut vídeam voluptátem Dómini, * et vísitem tem-
plum ejus.
Quóniam abscóndit me in tabernáculo suo : * in
die malórum protéxit me in abscóndito taberná-
culi sui.
In petra exaltávit me : * et nunc exaltávit caput
meum super inimícos meos.
Circuívi et immolávi in tabernáculo ejus hóstiam
vociferatiónis : * cantábo et psalmum dicam Dómino.
Exáudi, Dómine, vocem meam, qua clamávi ad
te : * miserére mei, et exáudi me.
Tibi dixit cor meum, exquisívit te fácies mea : *
fáciem tuam, Dómine, requíram.
Ne avértas fáciem tuam a me, * ne declínes in ira
a servo tuo.
Adjútor meus esto : * ne derelínquas me, neque
despícias me, Deus, salutáris meus.
Quóniam pater meus, et mater mea dereliquérunt
me : * Dóminus autem assúmpsit me.
Legem pone mihi, Dómine, in via tua : * et dírige
me in sémitam rectam propter inimícos meos.
Ne tradíderis me in ánimas tribulántium me : *
quóniam insurrexérunt in me testes iníqui et men-
títa est iníquitas sibi.
Credo vidére bona Dómini * in terra vivéntium.
- 28 -
Ant. 2. They have divided my clothing among
them, and have cast lots for my vesture.
False witnesses have risen up * against me, and
wickedness hath lied to itself.
Exspécta Dóminum, viríliter age : * et confortétur
cor tuum, et sústine Dóminum.
The Lord is my light and my salvation, * whom
shall I fear?
The Lord is the protector of my life: * of whom
shall I be afraid?
Whilst the wicked draw near against me, * to eat
my flesh.
My enemies that trouble me, * have themselves
been weakened, and have fallen.
If armies in camp should stand together against
me, * my heart shall not fear.
If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I
be confident.
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I
seek; * that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all
the days of my life.
That I may see the delight of the Lord, * and visit
His temple.
For He hath hidden me in His tabernacle; * in the
day of evils, He hath protected me in the secret
place of His tabernacle.
He hath exalted me upon a rock: * and now He
hath lifted up my head above my enemies.
I have gone round, and have offered up in his
tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: * I will sing, and
recite a psalm to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried
to Thee: * have mercy on me and hear me.
My heart hath said to Thee: My face hath sought
Thee: * Thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
Turn not away Thy face from me; * decline not in
Thy wrath from Thy servant.
Be Thou my helper, forsake me not; * do not Thou
despise me, O God my Saviour.
For my father and my mother have left me: * but
the Lord hath taken me up.
Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way, and guide me
in the right path, because of my enemies.
Deliver me not over to the will of them that
torment me; * for unjust witnesses have risen up
against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.
 I believe I shall see the good things of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
Ant. 3. Insurrexérunt in me * testes iníqui, et
mentíta est iníquitas sibi.
V. Divisérunt sibi vestiménta mea.
R. Et super vestem meam misérunt sortem.
Pater noster dicitur secreto.
Lesson I
De Lamentátio Jeremíæ Prophétæ.
H
E T H . Cogitávit Dóminus dissipáre murum
fíliæ Sion : teténdit funículum suum, et non
avértit ma-num suam a perditióne : luxít-
que antemurále, et murus páriter dissipá-
tus est.
Teth. Defíxæ sunt in terra portæ ejus : pérdidit, et
contrívit vectes ejus : regem ejus et príncipes ejus in
Géntibus : non est lex, et prophétæ ejus non inve-
nérunt visiónem a Dómino.
Jod. Sedérunt in terra, conticuérunt senes fíliæ
Sion : conspersérunt cínere cápita sua, accíncti sunt
cilíciis, abjecérunt in terram cápita sua vírgines
Jerú-salem.
Caph. Defecérunt præ lácrimis óculi mei, contur-
báta sunt víscera mea : effúsum est in terra jecur
meum super contritióne fíliæ pópuli mei, cum defí-
ceret párvulus et lactens in platéis óppidi.
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the following conclusion instead:
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum
Deum tuum.
Responsory I
R. Omnes amíci mei dereliquérunt me, et præ-
valuérunt insidiántes mihi : trádidit me quem dili-
gébam : * Et terribílibus óculis plaga crudéli percu-
tiéntes, acéto potábant me.
V. Inter iníquos projecérunt me, et non peper-
cérunt ánimæ meæ. * Et terribílibus óculis plaga
crudéli percutiéntes, acéto potábant me.
- 29 -
Wait thou for the Lord and act manfullyl * and let
thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
Ant. 3. False witnesses have risen up against me,
and wickedness hath lied to itself.
V. They have divided my clothing among them.
R. And have cast lots for my vesture.
Our Father in silence.
Lam. 2: 8-11
From the Lamentation of Jeremias the Prophet.
H ETH . The Lord hath purposed to destroy the
wall of the daughter of Sion: He hath stretched out
a line, He hath not withdrawn His hand from
destroying: and the rampart hath mourned, and the
wall hath been destroyed together.
Teth. Her gates are sunk into the ground; He hath
destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her
princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more,
and her prophets have found no vision from the
Lord.
Jod. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon
the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up
dust upon their heads; they have girded them-
selves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang
their heads down to the ground.
Caph. Mine eyes have failed with weeping, my
bowels are troubled, my liver is poured out upon
the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my
people; because the children and the suckling babe
have fallen in the streets of the city.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
God.
cf. Lam.1:2; Jb.30:13; 16:10; Jer.30:14; Ps.68:22
R. All my friends have forsaken me, and mine
enemies have prevailed against me; he whom I
loved hath betrayed me. * Mine enemies sharpened
their eyes upon me in fury and struck me with
breach upon breach, and in my thirst they gave me
vinegar to drink.
V. They numbered me with the transgressors,
and spared not my soul from death. * Mine enemies
sharpened their eyes upon me in fury and struck me
with breach upon breach, and in my thirst they gave
me vinegar to drink.
 Lesson II Lam. 2: 12-15

L
AMED. Mátribus suis dixérunt : Ubi est trí- L AMED . They said to their mothers, Where is the
ticum et vinum? cum defícerent quasi vul- grain and the wine? as they fainted away like the
neráti in platéis civitátis : cum exhalárent wounded in the streets of the city, when they
ánimas suas in sinu matrum suárum. breathed out their souls into their mothers’ bosom.
Mem. Cui comparábo te ? vel cui assimilábo te, Mem. To what shall I compare thee? or to whom
fília Jerúsalem ? cui exæquábo te, et consolábor te, shall I liken thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? To
virgo fília Sion ? Magna est enim velut mare con- what shall I equal thee, that I may comfort thee, O
trítio tua : quis medébitur tui ? virgin daughter of Sion? For thy ruin is as great as
the sea: who can heal thee?
Nun. Prophétæ tui vidérunt tibi falsa et stulta, Nun. Thy prophets have seen false and foolish
nec aperiébant iniquitátem tuam, ut te ad pœnitén- visions for thee: and they have not laid bare thine
tiam provocárent : vidérunt autem tibi assump- iniquity to excite thee to penance; but have seen for
tiónes falsas, et ejectiónes. thee false revelations and causes for banishment.
Samech. Plausérunt super te mánibus omnes Samech. All that pass by the way have clapped
transeúntes per viam : sibilavérunt, et movérunt ca- their hands at thee; they have hissed and wagged
put suum super filiam Jerúsalem : Hæccine est urbs, their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is
dicéntes, perfécti decóris, gáudium univérsæ terræ ? this the city of perfect beauty, the joy of all the earth?
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
Deum tuum. God.
Responsory II cf. Mt. 27: 51, 52; Lk. 23: 42
R. Velum templi scissum est, * Et omnis terra R. The veil of the temple was rent asunder, * And
trémuit : latro de cruce clamábat, dicens : Meménto the whole earth did quake, and the thief on the cross
mei, Dómine, dum véneris in regnum tuum. cried out, saying: Lord, remember me when Thou
comest into Thy kingdom.
V. Petræ scissi sunt, et monuménta apérta sunt, et V. The rocks were split asunder, and the graves
multa córpora sanctórum, qui dormíerant, surrexé- were opened up, and many bodies of the saints who
runt. * Et omnis terra trémuit : latro de cruce cla- were sleeping arose. * And the whole earth did
mábat, dicens : Meménto mei, Dómine, dum véneris quake, and the thief on the cross cried out, saying:
in regnum tuum. Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy
kingdom.
Lesson III Lam. 3: 1-9

A
L E P H . Ego vir videns paupertátem meam
in virga indignatiónis ejus.
Aleph. Me minávit, et addúxit in
ténebras, et non in lucem.
Aleph. Tantum in me vertit, et convértit manum
suam tota die.
Beth. Vetústam fecit pellem meam, et carnem
meam, contrívit ossa mea.
Beth. Ædificávit in gyro meo, et circúmdedit me
felle et labóre.
Beth. In tenebrósis collocávit me, quasi mórtuos
sempitérnos.
Ghimel. Circumædificávit advérsum me, ut non
egrédiar : aggravávit cómpedem meum.
Ghimel. Sed et, cum clamávero et rogávero, ex-
clúsit oratiónem meam.
Ghimel. Conclúsit vias meas lapídibus quadris,
sémitas meas subvértit.
A LEPH . I am the man that hath seen affliction by
the rod of His wrath.
Aleph. He hath led me, and brought me into
darkness, and not into light.
Aleph. Surely against me is He turned; He
turneth His hand against me all the day.
Beth. My skin and my flesh hath He made old; He
hath broken my bones.
Beth. He hath beseiged me, and hath compassed
me about with bitterness and tribulation.
Beth. He hath made me dwell in dark places, as
the dead of long ago.
Ghimel. He hath hedged me about, so that I
cannot escape: He hath made my chains heavy.
Ghimel. And yea, though I cry and shout, He
hath shut out my prayer.
Ghimel. He hath closed up my ways with hewn
stones, He hath turned my paths upside down.

- 30 -
 Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum
Deum tuum.
Responsory III
R. Vínea mea elécta, ego te plantávi : * Quómodo
convérsa es in amaritúdinem, ut me crucifígeres et
Barábbam dimítteres ?
V. Sepívi te, et lápides elégi ex te, et ædificávi
turrim. * Quómodo convérsa es in amaritúdinem, ut
me crucifígeres et Barábbam dimítteres ?
R. Vínea mea elécta, ego te plantávi : * Quómodo
convérsa es in amaritúdinem, ut me crucifígeres et
Barábbam dimítteres ?
The Second Nocturn
Antiphon 4
Vim faciébant, * qui quærébant ánimam meam.
Psalm 37
D
ÓMINE, ne in furóre tuo árguas me, * ne-
que in ira tua corrípias me.
Quóniam sagíttæ tuæ infíxæ sunt mihi : *
et confirmásti super me manum tuam.
Non est sánitas in carne mea a fácie iræ tuæ : *
non est pax óssibus meis a fácie peccatórum meó-
rum.
Quóniam iniquitátes meæ supergréssæ sunt
caput meum : * et sicut onus grave gravátæ sunt
super me.
Putruérunt et corrúptæ sunt cicatríces meæ, * a
fácie insipiéntiæ meæ.
Miser factus sum, et curvátus sum usque in fi-
nem : * tota die contristátus ingrediébar.
Quóniam lumbi mei impléti sunt illusiónibus : *
et non est sánitas in carne mea.
Afflíctus sum, et humiliátus sum nimis : * ru-
giébam a gémitu cordis mei.
Dómine, ante te omne desidérium meum : * et gé-
mitus meus a te non est abscónditus.
Cor meum conturbátum est, derelíquit me virtus
mea : * et lumen oculórum meórum, et ipsum non
est mecum.
Amíci mei, et próximi mei * advérsum me appro-
pinquavérunt, et stetérunt.
Et qui juxta me erant, de longe stetérunt : * et vim
faciébant qui quærébant ánimam meam.
- 31 -
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
God.
cf. Is. 5: 1-4
R. O my vineyeard, My chosen one, did I not
plant thee? * How then art thou turned to such
bitterness that thou shouldst crucify Me, and release
Barabbas?
V. I fenced thee, and gathered out the stones from
thee, and built a tower in the midst of thee. * How
then art thou turned to such bitterness that thou
shouldst crucify Me, and release Barabbas?
R. O my vineyeard, my choice one, did I not plant
thee? * How then art thou turned to such bitterness
that thou shouldst crucify Me, and release
Barabbas?
They did violence to me, * who sought my life.
R EBUKE me not, O Lord, in Thy fury; * nor
chastise me in Thy wrath.
For Thy arrows have stuck fast in me: * and Thy
hand hath been strong upon me.
There is no health in my flesh, because of thy
wrath: * there is no peace for my bones, because of
my sins.
For my iniquities have whelmed me over my
head: * and as a heavy burden have weighed down
on top of me.
My sores are rotten and corrupted, * because of
my foolishness.
I am become miserable, and am bowed down even
unto the end: * I walked sorrowful all the day long.
For my loins are filled with pain; * and there is no
health in my flesh.
I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: * I roared
with the groaning of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before Thee, * and my
groaning is not hidden from Thee.
My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me,
and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.
My friends and my neighbours have drawn near,
* and stood against me.
And they that were near me stood afar off: * and
they that sought my soul used violence.
 Et qui inquirébant mala mihi, locúti sunt
vanitátes : * et dolos tota die meditabántur.
Ego autem tamquam surdus non audiébam : * et
sicut mutus non apériens os suum.
Et factus sum sicut homo non áudiens : * et non
habens in ore suo redargutiónes.
Quóniam in te, Dómine, sperávi : * tu exáudies,
Dómine, Deus meus.
Quia dixi: Nequándo supergáudeant mihi inimíci
mei : * et dum commovéntur pedes mei, super me
magna locúti sunt.
Quóniam ego in flagélla parátus sum : * et dolor
meus in conspéctu meo semper.
Quóniam iniquitátem meam annuntiábo : * et
cogitábo pro peccáto meo.
Inimíci autem mei vivunt, et confirmáti sunt super
me : * et multiplicáti sunt qui odérunt me iníque.
Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis, detrahébant mihi :
* quóniam sequébar bonitátem.
Ne derelínquas me, Dómine, Deus meus : * ne
discésseris a me.
Inténde in adjutórium meum, * Dómine, Deus, sa-
lútis meæ.
Ant. 4. Vim faciébant, qui quærébant ánimam
meam.
Antiphon 5
Confundántur * et revereántur, qui quærunt áni-
mam meam, ut áuferant eam.
Psalm 39
E
XSPÉCTANS exspectávi Dóminum, * et
inténdit mihi.
Et exaudívit preces meas : * et edúxit me
de lacu misériæ, et de luto fæcis.
Et státuit super petram pedes meos : * et diréxit
gressus meos.
Et immísit in os meum cánticum novum * carmen
Deo nostro.
Vidébunt multi, et timébunt : * et sperábunt in
Dómino.
Beátus vir, cujus est nomen Dómini spes ejus * et
non respéxit in vanitátes et insánias falsas.
Multa fecísti tu, Dómine, Deus meus, mirabília
tua : * et cogitatiónibus tuis non est qui símilis sit
tibi.
Annuntiávi et locútus sum : * multiplicáti sunt su-
per númerum.
Sacrifícium et oblatiónem noluísti : * aures autem
perfecísti mihi.
- 32 -
And they that sought evils to me spoke vain
things, * and devised treacheries all the day long.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not: * and as a dumb
man, not opening his mouth.
And I became as a man that heareth not: * and
that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
For in Thee, O Lord, have I hoped: * thou wilt
hear me, O Lord my God.
For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice
over me: * and whilst my feet are moved, they speak
great things against me.
For I am ready for the scourge: and my sorrow is
continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think
deeply on account of my sin.
But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: *
and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
They that render evil for good, have detracted me,
* because I followed goodness.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God: * do not Thou
depart from me.
Incline unto my aid, * O Lord, the God of my
salvation.
Ant. 4. They did violence to me, who sought my
life.
Let them be ashamed * and confounded, that seek
after my soul to destroy it.
I HAVE waited, I have waited for the Lord, * and He
inclined unto me.
And He heard my prayers: * and He brought me
out of the pit of misery, out of the mire of dregs.
And He hath set my feet upon the rock, * and He
hath made firm my footsteps.
And he hath put a new canticle in my mouth, * a
hymn unto our God.
Many shall see and fear, * and shall put their trust
in the Lord.
Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the
Name of the Lord, * and who hath not turned unto
vanity, and to lying follies.
O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works
which Thou hast done, * and in Thy thoughts there
is no one like unto Thee.
I have declared and I have spoken: * they are
multiplied above number.
Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, * but
mine ears hast Thou opened.
 Holocáustum et pro peccáto non postulásti : * tunc
dixi: Ecce vénio.
In cápite libri scriptum est de me ut fácerem
voluntátem tuam : * Deus meus, vólui, et legem
tuam in médio cordis mei.
Annuntiávi justítiam tuam in ecclésia magna, *
ecce lábia mea non prohibébo : Dómine, tu scisti.
Justítiam tuam non abscóndi in corde meo : *
veritátem tuam et salutáre tuum dixi.
Non abscóndi misericórdiam tuam et veritátem
tuam * a concílio multo.
Tu autem, Dómine, ne longe fácias miseratiónes
tuas a me : * misericórdia tua et véritas tua semper
suscepérunt me.
Quóniam circumdedérunt me mala, quorum non
est númerus : * comprehendérunt me iniquitátes
meæ, et non pótui ut vidérem.
Multiplicátæ sunt super capíllos cápitis mei : * et
cor meum derelíquit me.
Compláceat tibi, Dómine, ut éruas me : * Dómine,
ad adjuvándum me réspice.
Confundántur et revereántur simul, qui quærunt
ánimam meam, * ut áuferant eam.
Convertántur retrórsum et revereántur : * qui
volunt mihi mala.
Ferant conféstim confusiónem suam : * qui dicunt
mihi : Euge, euge.
Exsúltent et læténtur super te omnes quæréntes
te : * et dicant semper : Magnificétur Dóminus : qui
díligunt salutáre tuum.
Ego autem mendícus sum, et pauper : * Dóminus
sollícitus est mei.
Adjútor meus et protéctor meus tu es : * Deus
meus, ne tardáveris.
Ant. 5. Confundántur et revereántur, qui quærunt
ánimam meam, ut áuferant eam.
Antiphon 6
Alieni * insurrexérunt in me, et fortes quæsiérunt
ánimam meam.
Psalm 53
D
EUS, in nómine tuo salvum me fac : * et in
virtúte tua júdica me.
Deus, exáudi oratiónem meam : * áuribus
pércipe verba oris mei.
Quóniam aliéni insurrexérunt advérsum me, et
fortes quæsiérunt ánimam meam : * et non
proposuérunt Deum ante conspéctum suum.
Ecce enim Deus ádjuvat me : * et Dóminus
suscéptor est ánimæ meæ.
- 33 -
Burnt-offering and sacrifice for sin hast Thou not
required: * then said I, Behold, I come.
In the scroll of the book it is written of me, that I
should do Thy will: * O my God, I have desired it;
yea, Thy law is within my heart.
I have declared Thy righteousness in the great
assembly: * lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Lord,
and Thou knowest it.
I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart;
* I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation.
I have not concealed Thy loving mercy and truth *
from the great congregation.
Withdraw not Thou Thy mercy from me, O Lord;
* Thy mercy and Thy truth have ever preserved me.
For evils without number are come about me; *
my sins have so overwhelmed me, that I am not
even able to see.
Yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my
head, and my heart hath failed me.
O Lord, let it be Thy pleasure to deliver me; *
make haste, O Lord, to help me.
Let them be ashamed, and confounded together,
that seek after my soul * to destroy it.
Let them be driven backward, and put to rebuke, *
that wish me evil.
Let them immediately be rewarded with shame: *
that say unto me, Fie, fie upon thee!
Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in
Thee; * and let such as love Thy salvation ever say,
The Lord be magnified.
As for me, I am poor and needy; * but the Lord
careth for me.
Thou art my helper and protector; * tarry not, O
my God.
Ant. 5. Let them be ashamed and confounded,
that seek after my soul to destroy it.
Strangers * have risen up against me, and
powerful men seek after my soul.
S AVE me, O God, by Thy Name, * and judge me in
Thy strength.
Hear my prayer: * give ear to the words of my
mouth.
For strangers have risen up against me, and the
mighty have sought after my soul, * and they have
not set God before their eyes.
For behold, God is my helper; * and the Lord is
the protector of my soul.
 Avérte mala inimícis meis : * et in veritáte tua
dispérde illos.
Voluntárie sacrificábo tibi, * et confitébor nómini
tuo, Dómine : quóniam bonum est :
Quóniam ex omni tribulatióne eripuísti me : * et
super inimícos meos despéxit óculus meus.
Ant. 6. Alieni insurrexérunt in me, et fortes quæ-
siérunt ánimam meam.
V. Insurrexérunt in me testes iniqui.
R. Et mentíta est iníquitas sibi.
Pater noster dicitur secreto.
Lesson IV
Ex tractatu Sancti Augustini Episcopi super
Psalmos. In Psalm. 63 ad vers. 2
P
R O T E X Í S T I me, Deus, a convéntu malignán-
tium, a multitúdine operántium iniquitá-
tem. Jam ipsum caput nostrum intueámur.
Multi Mártyres tália passi sunt, sed nihil sic
elúcet, quómodo caput Mártyrum : ibi mélius intué-
mur, quod illi expérti sunt. Protéctus est a multitú-
dine malignántium, protegénte se Deo, protegénte
carnem suam ipso Fílio, et hómine, quem gerébat :
quia fílius hóminis est, et Fílius Dei est. Fílius Dei,
propter formam Dei : Fílius hóminis, propter for-
mam servi, habens in potestáte pónere ánimam su-
am, et recípere eam. Quid ei potuérunt fácere ini-
míci ? Occidérunt corpus, ánimam non occidérunt.
Inténdite. Parum ergo erat, Dóminum hortári Már-
tyres verbo, nisi firmaret exemplo.
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the responsory is said immediately.
Responsory IV
R. Tamquam ad latrónem exístis cum gládiis et
fústibus comprehéndere me : * Quotídie apud vos
eram in templo docens, et non me tenuístis : et ecce
flagellátum dúcitis ad crucifigéndum.
V. Cumque injecísset manus in Jesum, et
ténuíssent eum, dixit ad eos. * Quotídie apud vos
eram in templo docens, et non me tenuístis : et ecce
flagellátum dúcitis ad crucifigéndum.
- 34 -
Turn back evils upon mine enemies, * and cut
them off in Thy truth.
I will freely sacrifice to Thee, * and give praise Thy
Name, O Lord, for it is good.
For Thou hast delivered me out of all my trouble;
* and mine eye hath looked down upon mine ene-
mies.
Ant. 6. Strangers have risen up against me, and
powerful men seek after my soul.
V. False witness have risen up against me.
R. And iniquity hath lied to itself.
Our Father in silence.
From the Treatise of Saint Augustine the Bishop
on the Psalms. On Psalm 63 at verse 2
‘T HOU hast protected me, O God, against the as-
sembly of malefactors, and from the insurrection of
evildoers.’ In our consideration of this psalm, let us
contemplate our Head Himself. Many martyrs have
suffered such things as the Psalmist prayeth against;
but no martyr shineth with such glory as the Head
of the martyrs. In Him we best perceive what they
endured. He was protected from the insurrection of
evildoers, in the sense that God protected Himself,
the Son Himself protecting His flesh, and and the
manhood which He bore. For he is both Son of Man
and Son of God: yea, He was the Son of God, since
He is of the form of God, and He is the Son of Man,
since He took on the form of a servant, having in
His power to lay down His life, and power to take
it up again. What could His enemies do unto
Him? They could only kill the body: the soul they
could not kill. Give heed: it would have profited
little for the Lord to exhort the martyrs by word,
had He not strengthened them by this His example.
cf. Mt. 26: 55, 50
R. Have ye come out as against a thief, with
swords and staves for to seize Me? * Daily I sat with
you in the temple teaching, and ye took Me not: and
now ye scourge Me, and lead Me to be crucified.
V. And when they had laid their hands on Jesus,
and taken hold of Him, He said unto them: * Daily I
sat with you in the temple teaching, and ye took Me
not: and now ye scourge Me, and lead Me to be
crucified.
 Lesson V
O S T I S qui convéntus erat malignántium
N Judæórum, et quæ multitúdo erat operán-
tium iniquitátem. Quam iniquitátem ?
Quia voluérunt occídere Dóminum Jesum
Christum. Tanta ópera bona, inquit, osténdi vobis :
propter quod horum me vultis occídere ? Pértulit
omnes infírmos eórum, curávit omnes lánguidos
eórum, prædicávit regnum cælórum, non tácuit
vítia eórum, ut ipsa pótius eis displícerent, non mé-
dicus, a quo sanabántur. His ómnibus curatiónibus
ejus ingráti, tamquam multa febre phrenétici, insa-
niéntes in médicum, qui vénerat curáre eos, excogi-
tavérunt consílium perdéndi eum : tamquam ibi
voléntes probáre, utrum vere homo sit, qui mori
possit, an áliquid super hómines sit, et mori se non
permíttat. Verbum ipsórum agnóscimus in Sapi-
éntia Salomónis : Morte turpíssima, ínquiunt, con-
demnémus eum. Interrogémus eum : erit enim
respéctus in sermónibus illíus. Si enim vere Fílius
Dei est, líberet eum.
Responsory V
R. Ténebræ factæ sunt, dum crucifixíssent Jesum
Judæi : et circa horam nonam exclamávit Jesus voce
magna : Deus meus, ut quid me dereliquísti? * Et
inclináto cápite, emísit spíritum.
V. Exclámans Jesus voce magna, ait : Pater, in
manus tuas comméndo spíritum meum. * Et incli-
náto cápite, emísit spíritum.
Lesson VI
E
XACUÉRUNT tamquam gládium linguas
suas. Non dicant Judæi : Non occídimus
Christum. Etenim proptérea eum dedé-
runt júdici Piláto, ut quasi ipsi a morte
ejus videréntur immúnes. Nam cum dixísset eis
Pilátus : Vos eum occídite : respondérunt, Nobis
non licet occídere quemquam. Iniquitátem facínoris
sui in júdicem hóminem refúndere volébant : sed
numquid Deum júdicem fallébant? Quod fecit Pilá-
tus, in eo ipso quod fecit, aliquántum párticeps fuit :
sed in comparatióne illórum multo ipse innocén-
tior. Institit enim quantum pótuit, ut illum ex
eórum mánibus liberáret : nam proptérea flagellá-
tum prodúxit ad eos. Non persequéndo Dóminum
flagellávit, sed eórum furóri satisfácere volens : ut
- 35 -
Y OU know what an assembly there was of wicked
men amongst the Jews, and what a tumult of evil-
doers. How were they evildoers? In that they de-
sired to kill the Lord Jesus Christ. Many good
works, saith He, have I shown you: for which of
these works do ye desire to kill Me? He bore all
their infirmities. He healed all their sick. He
preached the kingdom of heaven. He did not keep
silence regarding their iniquities, so that these ini-
quities might be abhorrent to them, rather than to
the Physician who would heal them. Yet being un-
grateful for all these His remedies, like men deliri-
ous in high fever, they raged against the Physi-cian
who had come to heal them, and took counsel to
destroy Him. It was as though they would put it to
the test, to see if He were man that could die, or
whether He were something more: a man that
would not suffer Himself to die. We recognise the
word of these same men in the Book of the Wisdom
of Solomon: ‘Let us condemn him,’ they say, ‘to a
shameful death. Let us try him, for he shall be visit-
ed according to his own words. For if he be truly
the Son of God, let God deliver him.’
cf. Mt. 27: 45; Lk. 23: 44; Jn. 19: 30; Mt. 27: 50
R. Now there was darkness over the all the land
whilst the Jews crucified Jesus, and at about the
ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice: My God,
My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? * And He
bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
V. And crying with a loud voice, Jesus said:
Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit. * And
He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
‘T HEY have sharpened their tongue like a sword.’
Let not the Jews say, ‘We did not kill Christ.’ For
they delivered him up to Pilate’s tribu-nal in order
that they should themselves seem inno-cent of His
death. Thus when Pilate said to them, ‘Take ye Him,
and crucify Him,’ they answered, ‘It is not lawful
for us to put any man to death.’ So it was that they
sought to cast the guilt of their crime upon a human
judge; but could they deceive God the Judge? What
Pilate did, in the very fact that he did it, made him
in some sort partaker of their crime. But in
comparison with them, he was less guilty. For he
did what he could to rescue Him out of their hands,
and therefore ordered Him to be scourged and
brought before them. He did not scourge the Lord
vel sic jam mitéscerent, et desínerent velle occídere,
cum flagellátum víderent. Fecit et hoc. At ubi per-
severavérunt, nostis illum lavísse manus, et dixísse,
quod ipse non fecísset, mundum se esse a morte
illíus. Fecit tamen. Sed si reus, quia fecit vel inví-
tus : illi innocéntes, qui coëgérunt ut fáceret ? Nullo
modo. Sed ille dixit in eum senténtiam, et jussit eum
crucifígi, et quasi ipse occídit : et vos, o Judæi,
occidístis. Unde occidís ? Gládio linguæ : acuístis
enim linguas vestras. Et quando percussístis, nisi
quando clamástis : Crucifíge, crucifíge ?
Responsory VI
R. Animam meam diléctam trádidi in manus
iniquórum, et facta est mihi hæréditas mea sicut leo
in silva : dedit contra me voces adversárius, dicens :
Congregámini, et properáte ad devorándum illum :
posuérunt me in desérto solitúdinis, et luxit super
me omnis terra : * Quia non est invéntus qui me
agnósceret, et fáceret bene.
V. Insurrexérunt in me viri absque misericórdia,
et non pepercérunt ánimæ meæ. * Quia non est
invéntus qui me agnósceret, et fáceret bene.
R. Animam meam diléctam trádidi in manus
iniquórum, et facta est mihi hæréditas mea sicut leo
in silva : dedit contra me voces adversárius, dicens :
Congregámini, et properáte ad devorándum illum :
posuérunt me in desérto solitúdinis, et luxit super
me omnis terra : * Quia non est invéntus qui me
agnósceret, et fáceret bene.
to persecute Him, but he wished to satisfy their
rage, that they might relent and cease in their desire
to kill Him when they saw Him scourged.
Nevertheless, he did do it. But if we hold him to be
guilty who did it against his will, shall they be
innocent who forced him to do it? By no means.
Pilate did pronounce sentence on Him, and
commanded Him to be crucified, and so in some
wise it might be said that he did kill Him. But O ye,
His own Jewish people, ye in full truth did kill Him.
And how did ye kill Him? With the sword of the
tongue. For like a sword did ye sharpen your
tongue. And when did ye strike the blow, but when
ye cried out, ‘Crucify him, crucify him’?
cf. Jer. 12: 7-11;Ps. 21: 12; Ps. 85: 14
R. I have given my beloved soul into the hands of
the wicked, and mine heritage has turned on me as
a lion in the forest. Mine adversary hath cried out
against me, saying: Assemble yourselves together,
and make haste to devour him. They have placed
me in a desolate wasteland, and all the earth hath
mourned over me: * Because no man could be found
that would acknowledge me, or do me well.
V. Merciless men have risen up against me, and
they did not spare my soul. * Because no man could
be found that would acknowledge me, do me well.
R. I have given my beloved soul into the hands of
the wicked, and mine heritage has turned on me as
a lion in the forest. Mine adversary hath cried out
against me, saying: Assemble yourselves together,
and make haste to devour him. They have placed
me in a desolate wasteland, and all the earth hath
mourned over me: * Because no man could be found
that would acknowledge me, or do me well.

The Third Nocturn

Antiphon 7
Ab insurgéntibus in me * líbera me, Dómine, quia Defend me from them * that rise up against me, O
occupavérunt ánimam meam. Lord, for lo, they lie waiting for my soul.

Psalm 58

E
RIPE me de inimícis meis, Deus meus : * et
ab insurgéntibus in me líbera me.
Eripe me de operántibus iniquitátem : *
et de viris sánguinum salva me.
Quia ecce cepérunt ánimam meam : * irruérunt in
me fortes.
Neque iníquitas mea, neque peccátum meum,
Dómine : * sine iniquitáte cucúrri, et diréxi.
D ELIVER me from mine enemies, O God; * defend
me from them that rise up against me.
O deliver me from evildoers, * and save me from
blood-thirsty men.
For lo, they have captured my soul; * the mighty
have rushed in upon me.
Neither is it my iniquity, nor my sin, O Lord: * I
have run without sin, and have directed my steps.

- 36 -
 Exsúrge in occúrsum meum, et vide : * et tu, Dó-
mine, Deus virtútum, Deus Israël.
Inténde ad visitándas omnes Gentes : * non mise-
reáris ómnibus, qui operántur iniquitátem.
Converténtur ad vésperam : et famem patiéntur ut
canes : * et circuíbunt civitátem.
Ecce loquéntur in ore suo, et gládius in lábiis eó-
rum : * quóniam quis audívit ?
Et tu, Dómine, deridébis eos : * ad níhilum dedú-
ces omnes Gentes.
Fortitúdinem meam ad te custódiam, quia, Deus,
suscéptor meus es : * Deus meus, misericórdia ejus
prævéniet me.
Deus osténdet mihi super inimícos meos, ne
occídas eos : * nequándo obliviscántur pópuli mei.
Dispérge illos in virtúte tua : * et depóne eos, pro-
téctor meus, Dómine :
Delíctum oris eórum, sermónem labiórum ipsó-
rum : * et comprehendántur in supérbia sua.
Et de exsecratióne et mendácio annuntiabúntur in
consummatióne : * in ira consummatiónis, et non
erunt.
Et scient quia Deus dominábitur Jacob : * et fíni-
um terræ.
Converténtur ad vésperam : et famem patiéntur ut
canes, * et circuíbunt civitátem.
Ipsi dispergéntur ad manducándum : * si vero non
fúerint saturáti, et murmurábunt.
Ego autem cantábo fortitúdinem tuam : * et exsul-
tábo mane misericórdiam tuam.
Quia factus es suscéptor meus, * et refúgium me-
um, in die tribulatiónis meæ.
Adjútor meus, tibi psallam, quia, Deus, suscéptor
meus es : * Deus meus, misericórdia mea.
Ant. 7. Ab insurgéntibus in me líbera me, Dó-
mine, quia occupavérunt ánimam meam.
Antiphon 8
Longe fecísti * notos meos a me : tráditus sum, et
non egrediébar.
Psalm 87
D
ÓMINE, Deus salútis meæ : * in die clamá-
vi, et nocte coram te.
Intret in conspéctu tuo orátio mea : *
inclína au-rem tuam ad precem meam :
Quia repléta est malis ánima mea : * et vita mea
inférno appropinquávit.
- 37 -
Rise up Thou to meet me, and see: * even Thou, O
Lord, the God of hosts, Thou God of Israel.
Incline to visit all the heathen: * have no mercy on
all them that work iniquity.
They shall return in the evening, * and suffer hun-
ger like dogs, and go round about the city.
Behold, they shall speak with their mouth, and a
sword is on their lips; * for who, they say, hath
heard us?
But Thou, O Lord, shalt laugh them to scorn, * and
Thou shalt bring all the heathen to naught.
My strength will I ascribe unto Thee, for Thou, O
God, art my refuge: * my God, His mercy shall go
before me.
God shall let me see over mine enemies; slay them
not, * lest my people ever forget it.
But scatter them abroad in Thy power, * and put
them down, O Lord, my protector.
For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of
their lips, * let them be taken in their pride.
And for their cursing and lies they shall be talked
of when they are consumed: * yea, when they are
consumed in Thy wrath, and shall be no more.
And they shall know that it is God Who ruleth in
Jacob, and unto the ends of the world.
And in the evening they shall return, * and suffer
hunger like dogs, and go round about the city.
They shall be scattered abroad to eat, * and shall
murmur if they be not satisfied.
But as for me, I will sing of Thy strength, * and
will extol Thy mercy in the morning.
For Thou art become my protector, * and my
refuge in the day of my trouble.
Unto Thee, O mine helper, will I sing, for Thou, O
God, art my protector: * my God, my mercy.
Ant. 7. Defend me from them that rise up against
me, O Lord, for lo, they lie waiting for my soul.
Far away hast Thou taken * my friends from me: I
am imprisoned and I cannot escape.
O L ORD , the God of my salvation, * I have cried in
the day, and in the night before Thee.
O let my prayer enter into Thy presence, * incline
Thine ear unto my calling;
For my soul is filled with evils, * and my life hath
drawn nigh unto hell.
 Æstimátus sum cum descendéntibus in lacum : *
factus sum sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mórtuos
liber.
Sicut vulneráti dormiéntes in sepúlcris, quorum
non es memor ámplius : * et ipsi de manu tua repúl-
si sunt.
Posuérunt me in lacu inferióri : * in tenebrósis, et
in umbra mortis.
Super me confirmátus est furor tuus : * et omnes
fluctus tuos induxísti super me.
Longe fecísti notos meos a me : * posuérunt me
abominatiónem sibi.
Tráditus sum, et non egrediébar : * óculi mei lan-
guérunt præ inópia.
Clamávi ad te, Dómine, tota die : * expándi ad te
manus meas.
Numquid mórtuis fácies mirabília : * aut médici
suscitábunt, et confitebúntur tibi ?
Numquid narrábit áliquis in sepúlcro misericór-
diam tuam, * et veritátem tuam in perditióne ?
Numquid cognoscéntur in ténebris mirabília tua, *
et justítia tua in terra obliviónis ?
Et ego ad te, Dómine, clamávi : * et mane orátio
mea prævéniet te.
Ut quid, Dómine, repéllis oratiónem meam : * a-
vértis fáciem tuam a me ?
Pauper sum ego, et in labóribus a juventúte mea :
* exaltátus autem, humiliátus sum et conturbátus.
In me transiérunt iræ tuæ : * et terróres tui con-
turbavérunt me.
Circumdedérunt me sicut aqua tota die : * circum-
dedérunt me simul.
Elongásti a me amícum et próximum : * et notos
meos a miséria.
Ant. 8. Longe fecísti notos meos a me : tráditus
sum, et non egrediébar.
Antiphon 9
Captábunt * in ánimam justi, et sánguinem inno-
céntem condemnábunt.
Psalm 93
D
EUS ultiónum Dóminus : * Deus ultiónum
líbere egit.
Exaltáre, qui júdicas terram : * redde re-
tributiónem supérbis.
Usquequo peccatóres, Dómine : * úsquequo pec-
catóres gloriabúntur :
Effabúntur, et loquéntur iniquitátem : * loquéntur
omnes, qui operántur injustítiam ?
- 38 -
I am counted as one of them that go down into the
pit, * and I am even as a man that hath no help, cast
off among the dead.
Like them that lie slain, sleeping in the grave, of
whom there is no remembrance, * and they are cast
away from Thy hand.
They have laid me very low in a pit, * in darkness,
and the shadow of death.
Thy fury is strong over me, * and Thou hast
brought in all Thy waves upon me.
Thou hast put away my friends far from me, * and
made me an abomination to them.
I was delivered up and came not forth: * mine
eyes failed for mine affliction.
All the day I cried to Thee, O Lord, * I stretched
forth my hands unto Thee.
Wilt Thou show Thy wonders to the dead? * or
shall physicians raise them to life, that they may
praise Thee?
Shall any one in the grave tell of Thy mercy? * or
of Thy truth in their destruction?
Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark? * or Thy
righteousness in the land of oblivion?
But I, O Lord, have cried unto Thee: * and in the
morning my prayer shall come before Thee.
Lord, why abhorrest Thou my prayer? * Why
turnest Thou away Thy face from me?
I am poor, and in labours even from my youth, *
and being exalted have been humbled and troubled.
Thy furies have swept over me, * and Thy terrors
have harrowed me.
They came round about me like water all the day:
* and compassed me about on every side.
Friend and neighbour Thou hast taken away from
me, * and hid mine acquaintances from my misery.
Ant. 8. Far away hast Thou taken my friends from
me: I am imprisoned and I cannot escape.
They will hunt * after the soul of the righteous,
and condemn innocent blood.
T HE Lord is God, to Whom vengeance belongeth, *
the God of vengeance hath acted freely.
Arise, Thou that judgest the earth, * and render
retribution unto the proud.
How long, O Lord? * How long shall the wicked
triumph?
How long shall they utter and speak evil, * and all
speak, who work injustice?
 Pópulum tuum, Dómine humiliavérunt : * et here-
ditátem tuam vexavérunt.
Víduam et ádvenam interfecérunt : * et pupíllos
occidérunt.
Et dixérunt : Non vidébit Dóminus : * nec intél-
liget Deus Jacob.
Intellígite, insipiéntes in pópulo : * et stulti, ali-
quándo sápite.
Qui plantávit aurem, non áudiet ? * aut qui finxit
óculum, non consíderat ?
Qui córripit Gentes, non árguet : * qui docet hó-
minem sciéntiam ?
Dóminus scit cogitatiónes hóminum, * quóniam
vanæ sunt.
Beátus homo, quem tu erudíeris, Dómine, * et de
lege tua docúeris eum.
Ut mítiges ei a diébus malis : * donec fodiátur pec-
catóri fóvea.
Quia non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : * et
hereditátem suam non derelínquet.
Quoadúsque justítia convertátur in judícium : * et
qui juxta illam omnes qui recto sunt corde.
Quis consúrget mihi advérsus malignántes ? * aut
quis stabit mecum advérsus operántes iniquitátem ?
Nisi quia Dóminus adjúvit me : * paulo minus
habitásset in inférno ánima mea.
Si dicébam : Motus est pes meus : * misericórdia
tua, Dómine, adjuvábat me.
Secúndum multitúdinem dolórum meórum in
corde meo : * consolatiónes tuæ lætificavérunt áni-
mam meam.
Numquid adhæret tibi sedes iniquitátis : * qui fin-
gis labórem in præcépto ?
Captábunt in ánimam justi : * et sánguinem
innocéntem condemnábunt.
Et factus est mihi Dóminus in refúgium : * et Deus
meus in adjutórium spei meæ.
Et reddet illis iniquitátem ipsórum : et in malítia
eórum dispérdet eos : * dispérdet illos Dóminus
Deus noster.
Ant. 9. Captábunt in ánimam justi, et sánguinem
innocéntem condemnábunt.
V. Locúti sunt advérsum me lingua dolósa.
R. Et sermónibus ódii circumdedérunt me, et
expugnavérunt me gratis.
Pater noster secreto.
- 39 -
Thy people, O Lord, have they have trampled, *
and debased Thine inheritance.
They have murdered the widow and the stranger,
* and they have put the orphans to death.
And they have said, The Lord shall not see, *
neither shall the God of Jacob perceive it.
Understand, ye senseless ones among the people:
* O ye fools, be wise before it is too late.
He that shaped the ear, shall He not hear? * or He
that formed the eye, doth He not behold?
He that chastiseth nations, shall He not punish? *
He that teacheth knowledge unto man?
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, * that
they are vain.
Blessed is the man whom Thou shalt instruct, O
Lord, * and shalt teach him by Thy law.
That Thou mayest give him rest from evil days, *
till a pit be dug for the wicked.
For the Lord will not cast off His people; * neither
will He forsake His own inheritance;
Until righteousness turn again unto judgment, *
and all they that are true of heart are close to it.
Who shall rise up for me against the wicked? * or
who shall stand with me against the evildoers?
If the Lord had not been my helper, * my soul
would have dwelt in hell.
If I said, My foot hath slipped, * Thy mercy, O
Lord, hath held me up.
Even amidst the multitude of the sorrows in my
heart, * Thy comforts have given joy to my soul.
Will the throne of wickedness cleave unto Thee, *
Who framest labour in commandment?
They will hunt after the soul of the righteous, *
and condemn innocent blood.
But the Lord is my refuge, * and my God is the
strength of my hope.
And He will repay them for their wickedness, and
in their malice He will destroy them; * yea, the Lord
our God shall destroy them.
Ant. 9. They will hunt after the soul of the
righteous, and condemn innocent blood.
V. They have spoken against me with deceitful
tongue.
R. They compassed me about also with words of
hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
Our Father in silence.
 Lesson VII Heb 4: 11-1
De Epístola beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Hebrǽos. From the Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Paul
to the Hebrews.

F
ESTINÉMUS íngredi in illam réquiem : ut
ne in idípsum quis íncidat incredulitátis
exém-plum. Vivus est enim sermo Dei, et
éfficax et penetrabílior omni gládio ancí-
piti : et pertíngens usque ad divisiónem ánimæ ac
spíritus, compágum quoque ac medullárum, et dis-
crétor cogitatiónum et intentiónum cordis. Et non
est ulla creatúra invisíbilis in conspéctu ejus : ómnia
autem nuda et apérta sunt óculis ejus, ad quem
nobis sermo. Habéntes ergo Pontíficem magnum,
qui penetrávit cælos, Jesum Fílium Dei : teneámus
confessiónem. Non enim habémus Pontíficem, qui
non possit cómpati infirmitátibus nostris : tentátum
autem per ómnia pro similitúdine absque peccáto.
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the responsory is said immediately.
L ET us labour to enter into that rest, lest any man
fall after the same example of unbelief. For the
word of God is living and powerful, and sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing even unto
splitting soul and spirit asunder, of joints and
marrow, and it is a discerner of the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. Neither is any creature
invisible in His sight: but all things are naked and
opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have
to give account. Seeing then that we have a great
high priest, Who hath passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our
confession. For we have not a high priest who will
have no compassion on our weaknesses; but rather
One Who was tempted in all things as we are, yet
who was without sin.

Responsory VII cf. Jb. 16: 12-15; Ps. 53: 5

R. Tradidérunt me in manus impiórum, et inter
iníquos projecérunt me, et non pepercérunt ánimæ
meæ : congregáti sunt advérsum me fortes : * Et
sicut gigántes stetérunt contra me.
V. Aliéni insurrexérunt advérsum me, et fortes
quæsiérunt ánimam meam. * Et sicut gigántes steté-
runt contra me.
R. They turned Me over into the hands of the
ungodly, and cast Me away among the wicked, and
spared not My soul from death; powerful men have
gathered together against Me, * And like giants,
they have stood against Me.
V. Strangers have risen up against Me, and
powerful men seek after my soul. * And like giants,
they have stood against Me.

Lesson VIII Heb. 4: 16, 5: 1-3

A
DEÁMUS ergo cum fidúcia ad thronum
grátiæ : ut misericórdiam consequámur, et
grátiam inveniámus in auxílio opportúno.
Omnis namque Póntifex ex homínibus as-
súmptus, pro homínibus constitúitur in iis, quæ
sunt ad Deum, ut ófferat dona, et sacrifícia pro pec-
cátis : qui condolére possit iis, qui ignórant et er-
rant : quóniam et ipse circúmdatus est infirmitáte :
et proptérea debet quemádmodum pro pópulo, ita
étiam pro semetípso offérre pro peccátis.
L ET us therefore go with confidence unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help us in our time of need. For every high
priest taken from among men is ordained for men
in things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts
and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on
the ignorant and on those who err: since he himself
also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason
hereof he ought to offer sacrifice for sins, as for the
people, so also for himself.

Responsory VIII cf. Mt. 26: 47, 58, 57

R. Jesum trádidit ímpius summis princípibus sa-
cerdótum, et senióribus pópuli : * Petrus autem se-
quebátur eum a longe, ut vidéret finem.
V. Adduxérunt autem eum ad Cáipham prínci-
pem sacerdótum, ubi scribæ et pharisæi convé-
R. The wicked one betrayed Jesus to be con-
demned by the chief priests and elders of the
people. * And Peter followed afar off, that he might
see the end.
V. And they led Him away to Caiaphas the high
priest, where the scribes and Pharisees were assem-

- 40 -
nerant. * Petrus autem sequebátur eum a longe, ut bled. * And Peter followed afar off, that he might
vidéret finem. see the end.

Lesson IX Heb. 5: 4-10

E C quisquam sumit sibi honórem, sed qui N EITHER doth any man taketh this honour unto

N vocátur a Deo, tamquam Aaron. Sic et

Christus non semetípsum clarificávit ut
Póntifex fíeret, sed qui locútus est ad eum :
Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te. Quemád-
modum et in álio loco dicit : Tu es sacérdos in ætér-
num, secúndum órdinem Melchísedech. Qui in dié-
bus carnis suæ preces, supplicationésque ad eum,
qui possit illum salvum fácere a morte, cum cla-
móre válido et lácrimis ófferens, exaudítus est pro
sua reveréntia. Et quidem cum esset Fílius Dei,
dídicit ex iis, quæ passus est, obediéntiam : et con-
summátus, factus est ómnibus obtemperántibus sibi
causa salútis ætérnæ, appellátus a Deo Póntifex,
juxta órdinem Melchísedech.
Responsory IX
R. Caligavérunt óculi mei a fletu meo : quia elon-
gátus est a me, qui consolabátur me : Vidéte omnes
pópuli, * Si est dolor símilis sicut dolor meus.
V. O vos omnes, qui transítis per viam, atténdite
et vidéte. * Si est dolor símilis sicut dolor meus.
R. Caligavérunt óculi mei a fletu meo : quia elon-
gátus est a me, qui consolabátur me : Vidéte omnes
pópuli, * Si est dolor símilis sicut dolor meus.
Thus ends the Office of Matins, and immediately the Office of Lauds begins.
himself, but he that is called by God, as was Aaron.
So also Christ did not glorify Himself to be made a
high priest; but rather He Who said unto Him,
Thou art My Son, today have I begotten Thee. As
He saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for
ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. For
Christ, in the days of His flesh, with a loud cry and
tears, offered up prayers and supplications to Him
Who was able to save Him from death, and was
heard for His reverence. And though indeed He
were the Son of God, yet He learned obedience by
the things which He suffered; and being perfected,
He became the source of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey Him, called by God an high priest,
after the order of Melchisedech.
cf. Jb. 16: 17; Lam. 1: 2, 12
R. Mine eyes are wasted with tears, because the
one who used to comfort Me has gone far away
from Me. Behold, all ye peoples, and see, * If there
be any sorrow like unto My sorrow?
V. O all ye that pass by, behold and see. * If there
be any sorrow like unto My sorrow?
R. Mine eyes are wasted with tears, because the
one who used to comfort Me has gone far away
from Me. Behold, all ye peoples, and see, * If there
be any sorrow like unto My sorrow?

LAUDS
Antiphon 1
Próprio * Fílio suo non pepércit Deus, sed pro God spared not * His very own Son, but delivered
nobis ómnibus trádidit illum. Him up for us all.

Psalm 50

M
I S E R É R E mei Deus, * secúndum mag-
nam misericórdiam tuam.
Et secúndum multitúdinem miserati-
ónum tuárum, * dele iniquitátem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitáte mea :
* et a peccáto meo munda me.
Quóniam iniquitátem meam ego cognósco : * et
peccátum meum contra me est semper.
H AVE mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy
great mercy.
And according to the multitude of Thy tender
mercies, * blot out mine iniquity.
Wash me yet more from mine iniquity, * and
cleanse me from my sin.
For I know mine iniquity, * and my sin is always
before me.

- 41 -
 Tibi soli peccávi, et malum coram te feci : * ut jus-
tificéris in sermónibus tuis, et vincas cum judicáris.
Ecce enim in iniquitátibus concéptus sum : * et in
peccátis concépit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritátem dilexísti : * incérta et occúlta
sapiéntiæ tuæ manifestásti mihi.
Aspérges me hyssópo, et mundábor : * lavábis me,
et super nivem dealbábor.
Audítui meo dabis gáudium et lætítiam : * et ex-
sultábunt ossa humiliáta.
Avérte fáciem tuam a peccátis meis : * et omnes
iniquitátes meas dele.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus : * et spíritum rec-
tum ínnova in viscéribus meis.
Ne projícias me a fácie tua : * et spíritum sanctum
tuum ne áuferas a me.
Redde mihi lætítiam salutáris tui : * et spíritu prin-
cipáli confírma me.
Docébo iníquos vias tuas : * et ímpii ad te conver-
téntur.
Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus salútis
meæ : * et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.
Dómine, lábia mea apéries : * et os meum an-
nuntiábit laudem tuam.
Quóniam si voluísses sacrifícium dedíssem úti-
que : * holocáustis non delectáberis.
Sacrifícium Deo spíritus contribulátus : * cor con-
trítum, et humiliátum, Deus non despícies.
Benígne fac, Dómine, in bona voluntáte tua Sion :
* ut ædificéntur muri Jerúsalem.
Tunc acceptábis sacrifícium justítiæ, oblatiónes, et
holocáusta : * tunc impónent super altáre tuum ví- oblations and whole burnt offerings; * then shall
tulos.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the first antiphon is immediately repeated:
Ant. 1. Próprio Fílio suo non pepércit Deus, sed
pro nobis ómnibus trádidit illum.
Antiphon 2
Anxiátus est super me * spíritus meus, in me tur-
bátum est cor meum.
Psalm 142
D
Ó M I N E , exáudi oratiónem meam : áuribus
pércipe obsecratiónem meam in veritáte
tua : * exáudi me in tua justítia.
Et non intres in judícium cum servo tuo : *
quia non justificábitur in conspéctu tuo omnis vivens.
- 42 -
Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil in
Thy sight; * that Thou mayst be justified in Thy
words, and mayst overcome when Thou shalt judge.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, * and in
sins did my mother conceive me.
But lo, Thou hast desired truth: * the uncertain
and hidden things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made
manifest to me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be
cleansed; * Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be
made whiter than snow.
To my hearing Thou shalt give joy and gladness: *
and the bones that have been broken shall rejoice.
Turn away Thy face from my sins, * and blot out
all my iniquities.
Create a clean heart in me, O God, * and renew a
right spirit in my inmost parts.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, * and take
not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, * and
strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I shall teach Thy ways to the wicked, * and the
ungodly shall be converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, Thou God of
my salvation; * and my tongue shall extol Thy
justice.
O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips, * and my mouth
shall declare Thy praise.
For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I woud indeed
have given it: * but Thou delightest not in burnt-
offerings.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: * a contrite
and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Deal favourably, O Lord, in Thy good will with
Sion; * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice,
they lay calves upon Thine altar.
Ant. 1. God spared not His very own Son, but
delivered Him up for us all.
My spirit is in anguish * within me: and my heart
within me is troubled.
H EAR my prayer, O Lord: give ear to my suppli-
cation in Thy truth; * hear me in Thy righteousness.
And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; *
for in Thy sight, no man living shall be justified.
 Quia persecútus est inimícus ánimam meam : *
humiliávit in terra vitam meam.
Collocávit me in obscúris sicut mórtuos sǽculi : *
et anxiátus est super me spíritus meus, in me tur-
bátum est cor meum.
Memor fui diérum antiquórum, meditátus sum in
ómnibus opéribus tuis : * in factis mánuum tuárum
meditábar.
Expándi manus meas ad te : * ánima mea sicut
terra sine aqua tibi.
Velóciter exáudi me, Dómine : * defécit spíritus
meus.
Non avértas fáciem tuam a me : * et símilis ero
descendéntibus in lacum.
Audítam fac mihi mane misericórdiam tuam : *
quia in te sperávi.
Notam fac mihi viam, in qua ámbulem : * quia ad
te levávi ánimam meam.
Eripe me de inimícis meis, Dómine, ad te con-
fúgi : * doce me fácere voluntátem tuam, quia Deus
meus es tu.
Spíritus tuus bonus dedúcet me in terram rectam :
* propter nomen tuum, Dómine, vivificábis me, in
æquitáte tua.
Edúces de tribulatióne ánimam meam : * et in
misericórdia tua dispérdes inimícos meos.
Et perdes omnes, qui tríbulant ánimam meam, *
quóniam ego servus tuus sum.
Ant. 2. Anxiátus est super me spíritus meus, in
me turbátum est cor meum.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; * he hath
smitten my life down to the ground.
He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as the
dead of long ago; * and my spirit is in anguish
within me, my heart within me is troubled.
I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all
Thy deeds; * yea, I meditated upon the works of Thy
hands.
I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; * my soul is
as earth without water unto Thee.
Hear me quickly, O Lord: * my spirit hath failed
within me.
Turn not Thy face away from me, * lest I be like
unto them that go down into the pit.
Make me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; * for
in Thee have I put my trust.
Make the way known to me, wherein in I should
walk; * for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord, for unto
Thee have I fled: * teach me to do Thy will, for Thou
art my God.
Thy loving Spirit shall lead me forth into the land
of righteousness: * for Thy Name’s sake, O Lord,
Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice.
Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble, * and in
Thy mercy Thou wilt destroy mine enemies.
And Thou wilt destroy all them that afflict my
soul; * for I am Thy servant.
Ant. 2. My spirit is in anguish * within me: and
my heart within me is troubled.

Antiphon 3
Ait latro ad latrónem : * Nos quidem digna factis One thief said to the other: * We indeed receive
recípimus, hic autem quid fecit ? Meménto mei, Dó- the just reward for our deeds, but this Man, what
mine, dum véneris in regnum tuum. hath He done? Lord, remember me, when Thou
comest into Thy kingdom.
Psalm 84

B
ENEDIXÍSTI , Dómine, terram tuam : * aver-
tísti captivitátem Jacob.
Remisísti iniquitátem plebis tuæ : * ope-
ruísti ómnia peccáta eórum.
Mitigásti omnem iram tuam : * avertísti ab ira in-
dignatiónis tuæ.
Convérte nos, Deus, salutáris noster : * et avérte
iram tuam a nobis.
Numquid in ætérnum irascéris nobis ? * aut ex-
téndes iram tuam a generatióne in generatiónem ?
Deus, tu convérsus vivificábis nos : * et plebs tua
lætábitur in te.
O L ORD , Thou hast blessed Thy land; * Thou hast
turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people; *
Thou hast covered all their sins.
Thou hast softened all Thine anger; * Thou hast
turned Thyself from the wrath of Thine indignation.
Convert us, O God our Saviour, * and turn Thine
anger away from us.
Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever? * and wilt
Thou stretch out Thy wrath from one generation to
another?
Thou wilt turn again, O God, and bring us to life,
* and Thy people shall rejoice in Thee.

- 43 -
 Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam : * et
salutáre tuum da nobis.
Audiam quid loquátur in me Dóminus Deus : *
quóniam loquétur pacem in plebem suam.
Et super sanctos suos : * et in eos, qui conver-
túntur ad cor.
Verúmtamen prope timéntes eum salutáre ipsíus :
* ut inhábitet glória in terra nostra.
Misericórdia, et véritas obviavérunt sibi : * justítia,
et pax osculátæ sunt.
Véritas de terra orta est : * et justítia de cælo pro-
spéxit.
Etenim Dóminus dabit benignitátem : * et terra
nostra dabit fructum suum.
Justítia ante eum ambulábit : * et ponet in via
gressus suos.
Ant. 3. Ait latro ad latrónem : Nos quidem digna
factis recípimus, hic autem quid fecit? Meménto
mei, Dómine, dum véneris in regnum tuum.
Antiphon 4
Cum conturbáta fúerit * ánima mea, Dómine,
misericórdiæ memor eris.
Canticle of Habacuc
D
ÓMINE , audívi auditiónem tuam : * et tímui.
Dómine, opus tuum, * in médio annó-
rum vivífica illud.
In médio annórum notum fácies : * cum
irátus fúeris, misericórdiæ recordáberis.
Deus ab Austro véniet : * et sanctus de monte
Pharan.
Opéruit cælos glória ejus : * et laudis ejus plena
est terra.
Splendor ejus ut lux erit : * córnua in mánibus
ejus :
Ibi abscóndita est fortitúdo ejus : * ante fáciem
ejus íbit mors.
Et egrediétur diábolus ante pedes ejus : * stetit, et
mensus est terram.
Aspéxit, et dissólvit Gentes : * et contríti sunt
montes sǽculi.
Incurváti sunt colles mundi, * ab itinéribus æter-
nitátis ejus.
Pro iniquitáte vidi tentória Æthiópiæ : * turba-
búntur pelles terræ Mádian.
Numquid in flumínibus irátus es, Dómine ? * aut
in flumínibus furor tuus ? vel in mari indignátio
tua ?
Qui ascéndes super equos tuos : * et quadrígæ
tuæ salvátio.
- 44 -
Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy, * and grant us Thy
salvation.
I will hear what the Lord God will say unto me; *
for He shall speak peace unto His people.
And unto His saints, * and unto them that are
converted in their heart.
Surely His salvation is near to them that fear Him,
* that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together: * justice and
peace have kissed.
Truth is sprung from the earth, * and justice hath
looked down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord will show loving-kindness; * and
our earth shall yield her fruit.
Justice shall walk before Him, * and shall set his
steps in the way.
Ant. 3. One thief said to the other: We indeed
receive the just reward for our deeds, but this Man,
what hath He done? Lord, remember me, when
Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
When My soul * is in anguish, O Lord, do Thou
remember mercy.
Hab. 3: 2-19
O L ORD , I have heard Thy speech, * and was afraid.
O Lord, revive Thy work * in the midst of the
years.
In the midst of the years make it known; * in Thy
wrath, remember mercy.
God came from the South, * and the Holy One
from mount Pharan;
His glory covered the heavens, * and the earth
was full of his praise.
And His brightness was as the light; * rays of
glory are in His hands.
There is the hiding of His power: * death fled
from before his face.
And the devil retreated before His feet. * He
stood, and measured the earth.
He beheld, and drove the nations asunder: * and
the everlasting mountains were scattered.
The perpetual hills were bowed down * by the
journeys of His eternity.
I saw the tents of Ethiopia in their affliction: * and
the curtains of the land of Madian did tremble.
Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? * or
was Thine anger upon the rivers? or was Thy wrath
against the sea?
That Thou didst ride upon Thy horses, * and Thy
chariots of salvation?
h
Súscitans suscitábis arcum tuum : * juraménta trí-
bubus quæ locútus es.
Flúvios scindes terræ : vidérunt te, et doluérunt
montes : * gurges aquárum tránsiit.
Dedit abyssus vocem suam : * altitúdo manus suas
levávit.
Sol, et luna stetérunt in habitáculo suo, * in luce
sagittárum tuárum, íbunt in splendóre fulgurántis
hastæ tuæ.
In frémitu conculcábis terram : * et in furóre ob-
stupefácies Gentes.
Egréssus es in salútem pópuli tui : * in salútem
cum Christo tuo.
Percussísti caput de domo ímpii : * denudásti fun-
daméntum ejus usque ad collum.
Maledixísti sceptris ejus, cápiti bellatórum ejus, *
veniéntibus ut turbo ad dispergéndum me.
Exsultátio eórum, * sicut ejus, qui dévorat páu-
perem in abscóndito.
Viam fecísti in mari equis tuis, * in luto aquárum
multárum.
Audívi, et conturbátus est venter meus : * a voce
contremuérunt lábia mea.
Ingrediátur putrédo in óssibus meis, * et subter
me scáteat.
Ut requiéscam in die tribulatiónis : * ut ascéndam
ad pópulum accínctum nostrum.
Ficus enim non florébit : * et non erit germen in
víneis.
Mentiétur opus olívæ : * et arva non áfferent
cibum.
Abscindétur de ovíli pecus : * et non erit armén-
tum in præsépibus.
Ego autem in Dómino gaudébo : * et exsultábo in
Deo Jesu meo.
Deus Dóminus fortitúdo mea : * et ponet pedes
meos quasi cervórum.
Et super excélsa mea dedúcet me victor * in
psalmis canéntem.
Ant. 4. Cum conturbáta fúerit ánima mea, Dó-
mine, misericórdiæ memor eris.
Antiphon 5
Meménto mei, * Dómine, dum véneris in regnum
tuum.
- 45 -
Thou wilt surely take up Thy bow, * according to
the oaths which Thou hast spoken to the tribes.
Thou wilt divide the rivers of the earth: the
mountains saw Thee and trembled; * the great body
of waters passed away.
The deep uttered his voice, * and he lifted up his
hands.
The sun and the moon stood still in their habi-
tation; * at the light of Thine arrows they went, in
the brightness of Thy shining spear.
Thou didst tread the earth in indignation: Thou
didst astonish the nations in Thy fury.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy
people: * even for salvation with Thy Christ.
Thou hast struck the head of the house of the
wicked: * Thou hast laid bare his foundation even
unto the neck.
Thou hast struck with his sceptres the head of his
warriors, * them that came out as a whirlwind to
scatter me.
Their rejoicing * was as to devour the poor in
secret.
Thou madest a way in the sea with Thine horses, *
through the heap of great waters.
When I heard, my belly trembled: * my lips
quivered at the voice:
Rottenness entered into my bones, * and I
trembled within myself.
O, that I might find rest in the day of trouble, *
that I may go up to our people that are girded!
For though the fig tree shall not blossom, * and
there shall be no fruit in the vines;
Though the labour of the olive tree shall fail, * and
the fields shall yield no food;
Though the flock shall be cut off from the fold, *
and there shall be no herd in the stalls;
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord: * and I will rejoice in
God my Jesus.
The Lord God is my strength: * and He will make
my feet like the feet of harts;
And He Who is the Conqueror shall lead me upon
the high places, * singing psalms.
Ant. 4. When My soul is in anguish, O Lord, do
Thou remember mercy.
Remember me, * O Lord, when thou comest into
thy kingdom.
 Psalm 147

L
AUDA, Jerusalem, Dominum : lauda Deum
tuum, Sion.
Quoniam confortavit seras portarum tua-
rum : benedixit filiis tuis in te.
Qui posuit fines tuos pacem : et adipe frumenti
satiat te.
Qui emittit eloquium suum terræ : velociter cur-
rit sermo ejus.
Qui dat nivem sicut lanam : nebulam sicut cine-
rem spargit.
Mittit crystallum suam sicut buccellas : ante
faciem frigoris ejus quis sustinebit ?
Emittet verbum suum, et liquefaciet ea : flabit
spiritus ejus, et fluent aquæ.
Qui annuntiat verbum suum Jacob : justitias et
judicia sua Israël.
Non fecit taliter omni nationi : et judicia sua non
manifestavit eis.
Ant. 5. Meménto mei, Dómine, dum véneris in
regnum tuum.
P RAISE the Lord, O Jerusalem: * praise thy God, O
Sion.
For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates: *
He hath blessed thy children within thee.
He hath made peace in thy borders: * and He
filleth thee with the finest of wheat.
He sendeth forth His commandment upon the
earth: * His word runneth swiftly.
He giveth snow like wool: * He scattereth mists
like ashes.
He casteth forth His ice like morsels: * who shall
stand before the face of His cold?
He shall send out His word, and shall melt them:
* His wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.
He declareth his word unto Jacob: * His statutes
and His judgments unto Israel.
He hath not dealt thus with any other nation: *
and He hath not manifested to them His judgments.
Ant. 5. Remember me, O Lord, when Thou com-
est into Thy kingdom.

All of the candles on the triangular candelabra have now been extinguished, save one, which remains lit at the
highest point of the candelabra.
Chapter and hymn are not said during the Sacred Triduum, but the Versicle follows immediately:

V. Collocávit me in obscúris. V. He hath laid Me in the darkness.

R. Sicut mórtuos sǽculi. R. As the dead of long ago.
Antiphon at the Benedictus
Posuérunt * super caput ejus causam ipsíus scrip- And they set up * over His head His accusation in
tam : Jesus Nazarénus, Rex Judæórum. writing: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
During the Canticle Benedictus, the six candles on the altar are extinguished gradually, one by one, so that the last
candle is put out at the last verse. All the lights and lamps throughout the Church are then put out.
Canticle of Zachary: Benedictus Lk. 1: 68-79

B
ENEDÍCTUS
Dóminus Deus Israël : * B LESSED
be the Lord God of Israel; * because
quia visitávit, et fecit redemptiónem ple- He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His
bis suæ : people;
Et eréxit cornu salútis nobis : * in domo And hath raised up a horn of Salvation to us, * in
David, púeri sui. the house of David, His servant;
Sicut locútus est per os sanctórum, * qui a sǽculo As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, *
sunt, prophetárum ejus : who are from the beginning:
Salútem ex inimícis nostris, * et de manu ómnium, Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hands
qui odérunt nos : of all that hate us;
Ad faciéndam misericórdiam cum pátribus nos- To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remem-
tris, * et memorári testaménti sui sancti : ber His holy testament;
Jusjurándum, quod jurávit ad Abraham patrem The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father,
nostrum, * datúrum se nobis : * that He would grant to us,
Ut sine timóre, de manu inimicórum nostrórum That being delivered from the hand of our ene-
liberáti, * serviámus illi : mies, * we may serve Him without fear,

- 46 -
 In sanctitáte, et justítia coram ipso, * ómnibus dié- In holiness and justice before Him, * all our days.
bus nostris.
Et tu, puer, Prophéta Altíssimi vocáberis : * præ- And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the
íbis enim ante fáciem Dómini, paráre vias ejus : Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the
Lord to prepare His ways;
Ad dandam sciéntiam salútis plebi ejus : * in re- To give knowledge of salvation to His people, *
missiónem peccatórum eórum : unto the remission of their sins:
Per víscera misericórdiæ Dei nostri : * in quibus Through the tender mercy of our God, * in which
visitávit nos, óriens ex alto : the Day-spring from on high hath visited us;
Illumináre his, qui in ténebris, et in umbra mortis To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the
sedent: * ad dirigéndos pedes nostros in viam pacis. shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of
peace.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the antiphon is immediately repeated.
Ant. Posuérunt super caput ejus causam ipsíus Ant. And they set up * over His head His accusa-
scriptam : Jesus Nazarénus, Rex Judæórum. tion in writing: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the
Jews.
The highest candle on the candelabra is taken and hidden behind the altar on the Epistle side. Then, all kneel for the
Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion.

C
HRISTUS factus est pro nobis obédiens us- C HRIST became obedient for our sake unto death,
que ad mortem, mortem autem Crucis. even death on the Cross.

Then Lord’s Prayer is said in complete silence.

Then,without Oremus, the is said the following:
Collect

R
É S P I C E , quǽsumus, Dómine, super hanc fa- A LMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee, look down
míliam tuam, pro qua Dóminus noster Jesus graciously upon this, Thy family, for whom our
Christus non dubitávit mánibus tradi no- Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be betrayed
céntium, et crucis subíre torméntum. into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer the
torment of the Cross.
The conclusion is said in silence.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Who with Thee livest and reignest in the unity of
Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen. the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Then the strepitus, a loud sound made by knocking on the choir benches, is made. This symbolises the convulsions
of nature which occurred when our Lord died on the Cross: the earth trembled, the sun was darkenened, rocks were
split asunder, and the bodies of the dead came forth from their tombs.
When the lighted candle reappears, all rise in silence.
Thus end the Offices of Tenebræ.

- 47 -
 HOLY SATURDAY
MATINS
The First Nocturn
Antiphon 1
In pace * in idípsum, dórmiam et requiéscam. In peace * at once shall I sleep, and take my rest.

Psalm 4

C
U M invocárem exaudívit me Deus justí-
tiæ meæ : * in tribulatióne dilatásti mihi.
Miserére mei, * et exáudi oratió-
nem meam.
Fílii hóminum, úsquequo gravi corde ?
ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quæritis mendácium ?
Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit Dóminus sanctum
suum : * Dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero
ad eum.
Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre : * quæ dícitis in
córdibus vestris, in cubílibus vestris compungímini.
Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, et speráte in Dómi-
no, * multi dicunt quis osténdit nobis bona ?
Signátum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Dómi-
ne : * dedísti lætítiam in corde meo.
A fructu fruménti, vini et ólei sui * multipli-
cáti sunt.
W HEN I called upon Him, the God of my justice
heard me: * in my trouble, Thou didst relieve me.
Have mercy on me: * and hear my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of
heart? * Why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
Know ye also that the Lord hath made wondrous
His holy one: * the Lord will hear me when I cry
unto Him.
Be ye angry, but sin not: * the things you say in
your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and hope in the
Lord: * many say, Who showeth us good things?
The light of Thy countenance O Lord, is signed
upon us: * Thou hast given gladness in my heart.
By the fruit of grain, of their wine and oil, * they
are multiplied.

- 49 -
 In pace in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam. In peace in the selfsame * I will sleep, and I will
Quóniam tu, Dómine, singuláriter in spe * rest.
constituísti me. For Thou alone, O Lord, hath settled me in hope.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the first antiphon is immediately repeated:
Ant. 1. In pace in idípsum, dórmiam et requié- Ant. 1. In peace at once shall I sleep, and take my
scam. rest.

After the first psalm with its antiphon, one of the candles on the triangular candelabra is extinguished. In like
manner, after each of the other psalms at Matins as at Lauds, one of the fifteen candles on the candelabra is
extinguished.
Antiphon 2
Habitábit * in tabernáculo tuo, requiéscet in mon- He shall dwell * in Thy tabernacle; he shall rest on
te sancto tuo. Thy holy mountain.
Psalm 14

D
ÓMINE, quis habitábit in tabernáculo tuo ?
* aut quis requiéscet in monte sancto tuo ?
Qui ingréditur sine mácula, * et operátur
justítiam :
Qui lóquitur veritátem in corde suo, * qui non
egit dolum in lingua sua :
Nec fecit próximo suo malum, * et oppróbrium
non accépit advérsus próximos suos.
Ad níhilum dedúctus est in conspéctu ejus ma-
lígnus : * timéntes autem Dóminum glorificat :
Qui jurat próximo suo, et non décipit, * qui pecú-
niam suam non dedit ad usúram, et múnera super
innocéntem non accépit.
Qui facit hæc, * non movébitur in ætérnum.
Ant. 2. Habitábit * in tabernáculo tuo, requiéscet
in monte sancto tuo.
L ORD , who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle? * Or who
shall rest on Thy holy mountain?
He that walketh without blemish, * and worketh
justice:
He that speaketh truth in his heart, * who hath
not used deceit in his tongue:
Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: * nor taken
up a reproach against his neighbours.
In his sight the wicked man is brought to nothing:
* but he giveth glory to them that fear the Lord.
He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth
not; * he that hath not put out his money to usury,
nor taken bribes against the innocent:
He that doth these things * shall not be moved for
ever.
Ant. 2. He shall dwell in Thy tabernacle; he shall
rest on Thy holy mountain.

Antiphon 3
Caro mea * requiéscet in spe. My flesh * shall rest in hope.
Psalm 15

C
ONSÉRVA me, Dómine, quóniam sperávi
in te : * dixi Dómino : Deus meus es tu,
quóniam bonórum meórum non eges.
Sanctis, qui sunt in terra ejus, * mirifi-
cávit omnes voluntátes meas in eis.
Multiplicátæ sunt infirmitátes eórum : * póstea
acceleravérunt.
Non congregábo conventícula eórum de san-
guínibus, * nec memor ero nóminum eórum per
lábia mea.
Dóminus pars hæreditátis meæ, et cálicis mei : *
tu es, qui restítues hæreditátem meam mihi.
P RESERVE me, O Lord, for I have hoped in Thee: * I
have said to the Lord, Thou art my God, for Thou
hast no need of my goods.
To the saints, who are in His land, * He hath
made all my desires wonderful in them.
Their infirmities were multiplied: * afterwards
they made haste.
I will not gather together their meetings for blood
offerings: * nor will I remember their names on my
lips.
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of
my cup: * it is Thou that wilt restore my inheritance
to me.

- 50 -
 Funes cecidérunt mihi in præcláris : * étenim
hæréditas mea præclára est mihi.
Benedícam Dóminum, qui tríbuit mihi intelléc-
tum : * ínsuper et usque ad noctem increpuérunt me
renes mei.
Providébam Dóminum in conspéctu meo semper :
* quóniam a dextris est mihi, ne commo-vear.
Propter hoc lætátum est cor meum, et exsultávit
lingua mea : * ínsuper et caro mea requiéscet in spe.
Quóniam non derelínques ánimam meam in
inférno : * nec dabis sanctum tuum vidére corrup-
tiónem.
Notas mihi fecísti vias vitæ, adimplébis me lætítia
cum vultu tuo : * delectatiónes in déxtera tua usque
in finem.
Ant. 3. Caro mea requiéscet in spe.
V. In pace in idípsum.
R. Dormiam et requiéscam.
Pater noster dicitur secreto.
Lesson I
De Lamentátio Jeremíæ Prophétæ.
H
ETH. Misericórdiæ Dómini quia non su-
mus consúmpti : quia non defecérunt mise-
ratiónes ejus.
Heth. Novi dilúculo, multa est fides tua.
Heth. Pars mea Dóminus, dixit ánima mea : prop-
térea exspectábo eum.
Teth. Bonus est Dóminus sperántibus in eum, áni-
mæ quærénti illum.
Teth. Bonum est præstolári cum siléntio salutáre
Dei.
Teth. Bonum est viro cum portáverit jugum ab
adolescéntia sua.
Jod. Sedébit solitárius, et tacébit : quia levávit su-
per se.
Jod. Ponet in púlvere os suum, si forte sit spes.
Jod. Dabit percutiénti se maxíllam, saturábitur
oppróbriis.
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the following conclusion instead:
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum
Deum tuum.
- 51 -
The measuring lines have fallen unto me in
goodly places: * for indeed my inheritance is goodly
to me.
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me under-
standing: * moreover my reins also have corrected
me even until the night.
I set the Lord ever in my sight: * since He is at my
right hand, that I be not moved.
Wherefore my heart is glad, and my tongue hath
rejoiced: * moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Because Thou wilt not abandon my soul in hell;
nor wilt Thou suffer Thy holy one to see corrup-
tion.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life,
Thou shalt fill me with joy with Thy countenance: *
at Thy right hand there are delights forevermore.
Ant. 3. My flesh shall rest in hope.
V. In peace, all at once.
R. I shall sleep, and take my rest.
Our Father in silence.
Lam. 3: 22-30
From the Lamentation of Jeremias the Prophet.
H ETH . It is for the mercies of the Lord that we are
not consumed: because His commiserations have
not failed.
Heth. They are new every morning; great is Thy
faithfulness.
Heth. The Lord is my portion, said my soul:
therefore will I wait for Him.
Teth. The Lord is good to them that hope in Him,
to the soul that seeketh after Him.
Teth. It is good to wait with silence for the
salvation of God.
Teth. It is good for a man, when he hath borne the
yoke from his youth.
Jod. He shall sit solitary, and hold his peace:
because he hath taken it up upon himself.
Jod. He shall put his mouth in the dust, if there
may yet be hope.
Jod. He shall give his cheek to him that striketh
him; he shall be filled with reproaches.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
God.
 Responsory I
R. Sicut ovis ad occisiónem ductus est, et dum
male tractarétur, non apéruit os suum : tráditus est
ad mortem, * Ut vivificáret pópulum suum.
V. Trádidit in mortem ánimam suam, et inter
scelerátos reputátus est. * Ut vivificáret pópulum
suum.
Lesson II
A
L E P H . Quómodo obscurátum est aurum,
mutátus est color óptimus ! dispérsi sunt
lápides sanctuárii in cápite ómnium pla-
teárum !
Beth. Fílii Sion ínclyti, et amícti auro primo : quó-
modo reputáti sunt in vasa téstea, opus mánuum
fíguli !
Ghimel. Sed et lámiæ nudavérunt mammam, lac-
tavérunt cátulos suos : fília pópuli mei crúdelis
quasi strúthio in desérto.
Daleth. Adhǽsit lingua lacténtis ad palátum ejus
in siti ; párvuli petiérunt panem, et non erat qui
frángeret eis.
He. Qui vescebántur voluptuóse, interiérunt in
viis ; qui nutriebántur in cróceis, amplexáti sunt
stércora.
Vau. Et major effécta est iníquitas fíliæ pópuli mei
peccáto Sodomórum, quæ subvérsa est in moménto,
et non cepérunt in ea manus.
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum
Deum tuum.
Responsory II
R. Jerúsalem, surge, et éxue te véstibus jucundi-
tátis : indúere cínere et cilício. * Quia in te occísus
est Salvátor Israël.
V. Deduc quasi torréntem lácrimas per diem et
noctem, et non táceat pupílla óculi tui. * Quia in te
occísus est Salvátor Israël.
Lesson III
Incipit Orátio Jeremíæ Prophétæ.
R
E C O R D Á R E , Dómine, quid accíderit nobis :
intuére, et réspice oppróbrium nostrum.
Hæréditas nostra versa est ad aliénos : do-
mus nostræ ad extráneos. Pupílli facti su-
mus absque patre, matres nostræ quasi víduæ.
Aquam nostram pecúnia bíbimus : ligna nostra pré-
- 52 -
cf. Is. 53: 7, 12
R. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and
while He was sorely afflicted, He opened not His
mouth: He was delivered unto death, * That He
might give life to His people.
V. He delivered his soul unto death, and was
numbered among the wicked. * That He might give
life to His people.
Lam. 4: 1-6
A LEPH . How the gold has darkened! the finest
colour is changed! the stones of the sanctuary are
scattered at the top of every street!
Beth. The noble sons of Sion, and they that were
clothed with the best gold: how they are esteemed
as earthen vessels, the work of the potter’s hands!
Ghimel. Even as the sea monsters bare the breast,
they have suckled their young: the daughter of my
people is cruel, like the ostrich in the desert.
Daleth. The tongue of the suckling child hath cleft
to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the little ones
have asked for bread, and there was none to break
it for them.
He. They that were fed delicately have died in the
streets; they that were brought up in scarlet have
embraced the dung.
Vau. And the iniquity of the daughter of my peo-
ple is made greater than the sin of Sodom, which
was overthrown in a moment, and hands took no-
thing in her.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
God.
cf. Lam. 2: 18
R. Arise, Jerusalem, and lay aside thy garments of
joy: gird thee with ashes and sackcloth. * For in thee
hath the Saviour of Israel been slain.
V. Let tears flow down like a river by day and by
night, let not the apple of thine eye cease to weep. *
For in thee hath the Saviour of Israel been slain.
Lam. 5: 1-11
Here beginneth the Prayer of
Jeremias the Prophet.
R EMEMBER , O Lord, what hath befallen us: behold,
and see our disgrace! Our inheritance is turned
over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. We have
become orphans without a father: our mothers are
as widows. The water we drink, we must buy; for
our wood, we must pay. We have been dragged by
tio comparávimus. Cervícibus nostris minabámur,
lassis non dabátur réquies. Ægypto dédimus
manum, et Assyriis, ut saturarémur pane. Patres
nostri peccavérunt, et non sunt : et nos ini-quitátes
eórum portávimus. Servi domináti sunt nostri : non
fuit qui redímeret de manu eórum. In animábus
nostris afferebámus panem nobis, a fácie gládii in
desérto. Pellis nostra, quasi clíbanus ex-ústa est a
fácie tempestátum famis. Mulíeres in Sion
humiliavérunt, et vírgines in civitátibus Juda.
Jerúsalem, Jerúsalem, convértere ad Dóminum
Deum tuum.
Responsory III
R. Plange quasi virgo, plebs mea : ululáte, pastó-
res, in cínere et cilício : * Quia venit dies Dómini
magna, et amára valde.
V. Accíngite vos, sacerdótes, et plángite, minístri
altáris, aspérgite vos cínere. * Quia venit dies
Dómini magna, et amára valde.
R. Plange quasi virgo, plebs mea : ululáte, pastó-
res, in cínere et cilício : * Quia venit dies Dómini
magna, et amára valde.
The Second Nocturn
Antiphon 4
Elevámini * portæ æternáles, et introíbit Rex
glóriæ.
Psalm 23
D
ÓMINI est terra, et plenitúdo ejus : * orbis
terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.
Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum : * et
super flúmina præparávit eum.
Quis ascéndit in montem Dómini ? * aut quis sta-
bit in loco sancto ejus ?
Innocens mánibus et mundo corde, * qui non ac-
cépit in vano ánimam suam, nec jurávit in dolo pró-
ximo suo.
Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino : * et mi-
sericórdiam a Deo, salutári suo.
Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum, * quærén-
tium fáciem Dei Jacob.
Attóllite portas príncipes vestras, et elevámini
portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
Quis est iste Rex glóriæ ? * Dóminus fortis et po-
tens : Dóminus potens in prælio.
- 53 -
our necks; we are weary, and no rest is given us. We
have submitted to Egypt, and to the Assyrians, that
we might be satisfied with bread. Our fathers have
sinned, and are no more: and we have borne their
iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: there was
none to redeem us out of their hand. We brought in
our bread at the peril of our lives, in the face of the
sword in the desert. Our skin was burnt as by a
furnace, with the searing blasts of the famine. They
humiliated the women in Sion, and the virgins in
the cities of Juda.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy
God.
cf. Joel 1: 8, 13
R. Lament like a virgin, O my people: howl, ye
shepherds, in ashes and sackcloth: * For the day of
the Lord is at hand, a day exceedingly bitter.
V. Gird yourselves, O ye priests, and lament; O
ye ministers of the altar, sprinkle yourselves with
ashes. * For the day of the Lord is at hand, a day
exceedingly bitter.
R. Lament like a virgin, O my people: howl, ye
shepherds, in ashes and sackcloth: * For the day of
the Lord is at hand, a day exceedingly bitter.
Be ye lifted up, * O everlasting gates, and the King
of Glory shall enter in.
T HE Lord’s is the earth, and the fulness thereof: *
the world, and all they that dwell therein.
For He hath founded it upon the seas, * and hath
prepared it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord:
or who shall stand in His holy place?
The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, * who
hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceit-
fully to his neighbour.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and
mercy from God his Saviour.
This is the generation of them that seek him, of
them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted
up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall
enter in.
Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord, Who is
strong and mighty: the Lord, mighty in battle.
 Attóllite portas príncipes vestras, et elevámini
portæ æternáles : * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
Quis est iste Rex glóriæ ? * Dóminus virtútum ipse
est Rex glóriæ.
Ant. 4. Elevámini, portæ æternáles, et introíbit
Rex glóriæ.
Antiphon 5
Credo vidére * bona Dómini in terra vivéntium.
Psalm 26
D
Ó M I N U S illuminátio mea, et salus mea, *
quem timébo ?
Dóminus protéctor vitæ meæ, * a quo
trepidabo ?
Dum apprópiant super me nocéntes, * ut edant
carnes meas :
Qui tríbulant me inimíci mei, * ipsi infirmáti sunt
et cecidérunt.
Si consístant advérsum me castra, * non timébit
cor meum.
Si exsúrgat advérsum me prælium, * in hoc ego
sperábo.
Unam pétii a Dómino, hanc requíram, * ut
inhábitem in domo Dómini ómnibus diébus vitæ
meæ :
Ut vídeam voluptátem Dómini, * et vísitem tem-
plum ejus.
Quóniam abscóndit me in tabernáculo suo : * in
die malórum protéxit me in abscóndito tabernáculi
sui.
In petra exaltávit me : * et nunc exaltávit caput
meum super inimícos meos.
Circuívi et immolávi in tabernáculo ejus hóstiam
vociferatiónis : * cantábo et psalmum dicam Dó-
mino.
Exáudi, Dómine, vocem meam, qua clamávi ad
te : * miserére mei, et exáudi me.
Tibi dixit cor meum, exquisívit te fácies mea : *
fáciem tuam, Dómine, requíram.
Ne avértas fáciem tuam a me, * ne declínes in ira
a servo tuo.
Adjútor meus esto : * ne derelínquas me, neque
despícias me, Deus, salutáris meus.
Quóniam pater meus, et mater mea dereliquérunt
me : * Dóminus autem assúmpsit me.
Legem pone mihi, Dómine, in via tua : * et dírige
me in sémitam rectam propter inimícos meos.
- 54 -
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted
up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall
enter in.
Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord of hosts, He
is the King of Glory.
Ant. 4. Be ye lifted up, O everlasting gates, and
the King of Glory shall enter in.
I believe I shall see * the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living.
T HE Lord is my light and my salvation, * whom
shall I fear?
The Lord is the protector of my life: * of whom
shall I be afraid?
Whilst the wicked draw near against me, * to eat
my flesh.
My enemies that trouble me, * have themselves
been weakened, and have fallen.
If armies in camp should stand together against
me, * my heart shall not fear.
If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I
be confident.
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I
seek; * that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all
the days of my life.
That I may see the delight of the Lord, * and visit
His temple.
For He hath hidden me in His tabernacle; * in the
day of evils, He hath protected me in the secret
place of His tabernacle.
He hath exalted me upon a rock: * and now He
hath lifted up my head above my enemies.
I have gone round, and have offered up in his
tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: * I will sing, and
recite a psalm to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried
to Thee: * have mercy on me and hear me.
My heart hath said to Thee: My face hath sought
Thee: * Thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
Turn not away Thy face from me; * decline not in
Thy wrath from Thy servant.
Be Thou my helper, forsake me not; * do not Thou
despise me, O God my Saviour.
For my father and my mother have left me: * but
the Lord hath taken me up.
Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way, and guide me
in the right path, because of my enemies.
 Ne tradíderis me in ánimas tribulántium me : *
quóniam insurrexérunt in me testes iníqui et men-
títa est iníquitas sibi.
Credo vidére bona Dómini * in terra vivéntium.
Exspécta Dóminum, viríliter age : * et confortétur
cor tuum, et sústine Dóminum.
Ant. 5. Credo vidére bona Dómini in terra vivén-
tium.
Antiphon 6
Dómine, * abstraxísti ab ínferis ánimam meam. O Lord, * Thou hast brought my soul out of hell.
Psalm 29
E
XALTÁBO te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti
me : * nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
Dómine, Deus meus, clamávi ad te, * et
sanásti me.
Dómine, eduxísti ab inférno ánimam meam : *
salvásti me a descendéntibus in lacum.
Psállite Dómino, sancti ejus : * et confitémini me-
móriæ sanctitátis ejus.
Quóniam ira in indignatióne ejus : * et vita in vo-
luntáte ejus.
Ad vésperum demorábitur fletus : * et ad matutí-
num lætítia.
Ego autem dixi in abundántia mea : * Non mo-
vébor in ætérnum.
Dómine, in voluntáte tua, * præstitísti decóri meo
virtútem.
Avertísti fáciem tuam a me, * et factus sum con-
turbátus.
Ad te, Dómine, clamábo : * et ad Deum meum
deprecábor.
Quæ utílitas in sánguine meo, * dum descéndo in
corruptiónem ?
Numquid confitébitur tibi pulvis, * aut annun-
tiábit veritátem tuam ?
Audívit Dóminus, et misértus est mei : * Dóminus
factus est adjútor meus.
Convertísti planctum meum in gáudium mihi : *
conscidísti saccum meum, et circumdedísti me
lætítia :
Ut cantet tibi glória mea, et non compúngar : *
Dómine, Deus meus, in ætérnum confitébor tibi.
Ant. 6. Dómine, abstraxísti ab ínferis ánimam
meam.
V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére mei.
R. Et resúscita me, et retríbuam eis.
Pater noster dicitur secreto.
- 55 -
Deliver me not over to the will of them that
torment me; * for unjust witnesses have risen up
against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.
I believe I shall see the good things of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
Wait thou for the Lord and act manfullyl * and let
thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
Ant. 5. I believe I shall see the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living.
I WILL extol thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me:
* and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I have cried to Thee, and Thou
hast healed me.
Thou hast brought forth, O Lord, my soul from
hell: * Thou hast saved me from them that go down
into the pit.
Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints: * and give praise
to the memory of his holiness.
For wrath is in His indignation; * but His good
will is in life.
In the evening weeping shall have place, but in
the morning, gladness.
And in my abundance I said: * I shall never be
moved.
O Lord, in Thy favour, * Thou gavest strength to
my beauty.
Thou turnedst away Thy face from me, * and I
became troubled.
To thee, O Lord, will I cry: * and I will make
supplication to my God.
What profit is there in my blood, * whilst I go
down to corruption?
Shall dust give praise to Thee, * or declare Thy
truth?
The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me:
* the Lord became my helper.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy: *
Thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast surrounded
me with gladness:
In order that my glory may sing to Thee, and I
may not regret: * O Lord my God, I will give thanks
to Thee for ever.
Ant. 6. O Lord, Thou hast brought my soul out of
hell.
V. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on me.
R. Raise me up, and I shall reward them.
Our Father in silence.
 Lesson IV
Ex tractatu Sancti Augustini Episcopi super
Psalmos. In Psalm. 63 ad vers. 7
A
C C É D E T homo ad cor altum, et exaltábitur
Deus. Illi dixérunt : Quis nos vidébit ?
Defecérunt scrutántes scrutatiónes, consí-
lia mala. Accéssit homo ad ipsa consília,
passus est se tenéri ut homo. Non enim tenerétur
nisi homo, aut viderétur nisi homo, aut cæderétur
nisi homo, aut crucifigerétur, aut morerétur nisi
homo. Accéssit ergo homo ad illas omnes passiónes,
quæ in illo nihil valérent, nisi esset homo. Sed si ille
non esset homo, non liberarétur homo. Accéssit
homo ad cor altum, id est, cor secrétum, objíciens
aspéctibus humánis hóminem, servans intus Deum :
celans formam Dei, in qua æquális est Patri, et
ófferens formam servi, qua minor est Patre.
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the responsory is said immediately.
Responsory IV
R. Recéssit pastor noster, fons aquæ vivæ, ad
cujus tránsitum sol obscurátus est : * Nam et ille
captus est, qui captívum tenébat primum hóminem :
hódie portas mortis et seras páriter Salvátor noster
disrúpit.
V. Destrúxit quidem claustra inférni, et subvértit
poténtias diáboli. * Nam et ille captus est, qui
captívum tenébat primum hóminem : hódie portas
mortis et seras páriter Salvátor noster disrúpit.
Lesson V
Q
UO perduxérunt illas scrutatiónes suas,
quas perscrutántes defecérunt, ut étiam
mórtuo Dómino et sepúlto, custódes póne-
rent ad sepúlcrum? Dixérunt enim Piláto :
Sedúctor ille : hoc appellabátur nómine Dóminus
Jesus Christus, ad solátium servórum suó-rum,
quando dicúntur seductóres : ergo illi Piláto : Se-
dúctor ille, ínquiunt, dixit adhuc vivens : Post tres
dies resúrgam. Jube ítaque custodíri sepúlcrum us-
que in diem tértium, ne forte véniant discípuli ejus,
- 56 -
From the Treatise of Saint Augustine the Bishop
on the Psalms. On Psalm 63 at verse 7
‘M AN shall enter upon deep thoughts, and God
shall be exalted.’ They said, ‘Who will see us?’ But
they failed in their searches, in their wicked designs.
Now, one Man came up against these designs, and
He suffered Himself to be restrained as Man. For
He could not have been restrained, except as Man;
neither could He have been seen, except as Man.
Nor could He have been scourged, except as Man,
nor been crucified, nor died, except as Man. As
Man, therefore, He came to endure all those suffer-
ings which could have had no effect upon Him,
unless He were Man. And further, had he not been
Man, in no wise could mankind have been re-
deemed. So it was, as the Psalmist saith, that He
entered, as Man, unto deep thoughts: that is, some-
thing that surpasseth human understanding. For
He showed his Humanity to the eyes of men, but
kept His Godhead hidden deep within, thus con-
cealing the form of God, wherein He is equal to the
Father; but presenting instead the form of a servant,
wherein He is less than the Father.
R. Our shepherd is gone from us, the Fountain of
living water, at Whose passing the sun was dar-
kened. * For the evil one who held captive the first
man is himself taken into captivity: today our
Saviour hath broken the gates of death and burst the
bars thereof asunder.
V. He hath destroyed the prisons of hell, and
overthrown the power of the devil. * For the evil
one who held captive the first man is himself taken
into captivity: today our Saviour hath broken the
gates of death and burst the bars thereof asunder.
H OW far did they take those searchings of theirs,
wherein, thoroughly plotting, they failed so greatly?
So far that even when the Lord was dead and
buried, they set a watch over the sepulchre. For of
Christ, they said to Pilate, ‘He is a deceiver.’ By this
name the Lord Jesus Christ was called, to the com-
fort of His servants, when they be called deceiv-ers.
‘That deceiver,’ say they to Pilate, ‘said while He
was yet alive: After three days I will rise again:
Command, therefore, that the sepulchre be guarded
et furéntur eum, et dicant plebi : Surréxit a mórtuis :
et erit novíssimus error pejor prióre. Ait illis Pilá-
tus : Habétis custódiam, ite, custodíte sicut scitis. Illi
autem abeúntes, muniérunt sepúlcrum, signán-tes
lápidem cum custódibus.
Responsory V
R. O vos omnes, qui transítis per viam, atténdite,
et vidéte, * Si est dolor símilis sicut dolor meus.
V. Atténdite, univérsi pópuli, et vidéte dolórem
meum. * Si est dolor símilis sicut dolor meus.
Lesson VI
P
OSUÉRUNT custódes mílites ad sepúlcrum.
Concússa terra Dóminus resurréxit : mirá-
cula facta sunt tália circa sepúlcrum, ut et
ipsi mílites, qui custódes advénerant, testes
fíerent, si vellent vera nuntiáre. Sed avarítia illa,
quæ captivávit discípulum cómitem Christi, capti-
vávit et mílitem custódem sepúlcri. Damus, ínqui-
unt, vobis pecúniam : et dícite, quia vobis dormién-
tibus venérunt discípuli ejus, et abstulérunt eum.
Vere defecérunt scrutántes scrutatiónes. Quid est
quod dixísti, O infélix astútia ? Tantúmne déseris
lucem consílii pietátis, et in profúnda versútiæ de-
mérgeris, ut hoc dicas : Dícite quia vobis dormi-
éntibus venérunt discípuli ejus, et abstulérunt eum ?
Dormiéntes testes ádhibes : vere tu ipse obdormísti,
qui scrutándo tália defecísti.
Responsory VI
R. Ecce quómodo móritur justus, et nemo pércipit
corde : et viri justi tollúntur, et nemo consíderat : a
fácie iniquitátis sublátus est justus : * Et erit in pace
memória ejus.
V. Tamquam agnus coram tondénte se obmútuit,
et non apéruit os suum : de angústia et de judício
sublátus est. * Et erit in pace memória ejus.
R. Ecce quómodo móritur justus, et nemo pércipit
corde : et viri justi tollúntur, et nemo consíderat : a
fácie iniquitátis sublátus est justus : * Et erit in pace
memória ejus.
- 57 -
until the third day, lest His disciples come by night,
and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is
risen from the dead, and the last imposture shall be
worse than the first.’ Pilate said unto them, ‘Ye
have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as ye
can.’ So they went, and made the sepulchre sure,
sealing the stone, and setting guards.
Lam. 1: 12, 18
R. O all ye that pass by the way, behold, and see,
* If there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.
V. Behold, all ye peoples, and see my sorrow. * If
there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.
T HEY placed a watch of soldiers over the sepul-chre.
But the earth quaked! The Lord rose again! Such
were the miracles wrought round about the
sepulchre, so that the very soldiers who had been
guards might have been witnesses, if they had been
willing to declare the truth. But that avarice which
made a slave of that disciple and companion of
Christ, made slaves also of the soldiers who
guarded His tomb. ‘We will give you money,’ say
they, ‘so say ye that His disciples came and stole
Him away while ye slept.’ Truly, they failed in
their snares and plans. What is this thou saidst, O
unlucky ingenuity? Dost thou so far forsake the
light of the counsel of godliness, and plunge thyself
so deep in craftiness, as to speak thus: ‘Say ye that
His disciples came and stole Him away while ye
slept?’ Thou producest sleeping witnesses! Surely
thou hast thyself fallen asleep, who hast failed with
such plots.
cf. Is. 53: 8, 12, 7
R. See how the Righteous One perisheth, and no
one taketh it to heart: and just men are taken away,
and no one considereth: but the Righteous One is
taken away from the presence of evil, * And His
memory shall be in peace.
V. As a lamb before its shearers is dumb, so He
opened not his mouth: He was taken from prison
and from judgment. * And His memory shall be in
peace.
R. See how the Righteous One perisheth, and no
one taketh it to heart: and just men are taken away,
and no one considereth: but the Righteous One is
taken away from the presence of evil, * And His
memory shall be in peace.
 The Third Nocturn
Antiphon 7
Deus ádjuvat me, * et Dóminus suscéptor est God hath helped me, * and the Lord is the
ánimæ meæ. protector of my soul.

Psalm 53

D
EUS, in nómine tuo salvum me fac : * et in
virtúte tua júdica me.
Deus, exáudi oratiónem meam : * áuribus
pércipe verba oris mei.
Quóniam aliéni insurrexérunt advérsum me, et
fortes quæsiérunt ánimam meam : * et non propo-
suérunt Deum ante conspéctum suum.
Ecce enim Deus ádjuvat me : * et Dóminus suscé-
ptor est ánimæ meæ.
Avérte mala inimícis meis : * et in veritáte tua
dispérde illos.
Voluntárie sacrificábo tibi, * et confitébor nómini
tuo, Dómine: quóniam bonum est :
Quóniam ex omni tribulatióne eripuísti me : * et
super inimícos meos despéxit óculus meus.
Ant. 7. Deus ádjuvat me, et Dóminus suscéptor
est ánimæ meæ.
Antiphon 8
In pace * factus est locus ejus, et in Sion habitátio
ejus.
Psalm 75
O T U S in Judæa Deus : * in Israël magnum
S AVE me, O God, by Thy Name, * and judge me in
Thy strength.
Hear my prayer: * give ear to the words of my
mouth.
For strangers have risen up against me, and the
mighty have sought after my soul, * and they have
not set God before their eyes.
For behold, God is my helper; * and the Lord is
the protector of my soul.
Turn back evils upon mine enemies, * and cut
them off in Thy truth.
I will freely sacrifice to Thee, * and give praise
Thy Name, O Lord, for it is good.
For Thou hast delivered me out of all my trouble;
* and mine eye hath looked down upon mine ene-
mies.
Ant. 7. God hath helped me, and the Lord is the
protector of my soul.
In peace * hath his abode been made, and in Sion
his dwelling.
G OD is renowned in Judea; * His Name is great in

N nomen ejus.
Et factus est in pace locus ejus : * et
habitátio ejus in Sion.
Ibi confrégit poténtias árcuum : * scutum, gládi-
um, et bellum.
Israel.
And His place is in peace, * and His abode in Sion.

There hath He broken the strength of the bow, *

Illúminans tu mirabíliter a móntibus ætérnis : *
turbáti sunt omnes insipiéntes corde.
Dormiérunt somnum suum : * et nihil invenérunt
omnes viri divitiárum in mánibus suis.
Ab increpatióne tua, Deus Jacob, * dormitavérunt
qui ascendérunt equos.
Tu terríbilis es, et quis resístet tibi ? * ex tunc ira
tua.
De cælo audítum fecísti judícium : * terra trémuit
et quiévit.
Cum exsúrgeret in judícium Deus, * ut salvos
fáceret omnes mansuétos terræ.
Quóniam cogitátio hóminis confitébitur tibi : * et
relíquiæ cogitatiónis diem festum agent tibi.
the shield, the sword, and the battle.
Thou shinest forth wondrously from the ever-
lasting hills: * all the foolish of heart were troubled.
They have slept their sleep; * and all the men of
riches have found nothing in their hands.
At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, * they have all
slumbered that mounted on horseback.
Thou art fearsome, and who shall stand against
Thee * for the fury of Thy wrath?
Thou hast made judgment to be heard from
heaven: * the earth trembled, and was still,
When God arose for judgment, * to save all the
meek of the earth.
For the contemplation of man shall give praise to
Thee; * and the rest of their contemplation shall
keep a holy day unto Thee.

- 58 -
 Vovéte, et réddite Dómino Deo vestro : * omnes,
qui in circúitu ejus affértis múnera.
Terríbili et ei qui aufert spíritum príncipum, *
terríbili apud reges terræ.
Ant. 8. In pace factus est locus ejus, et in Sion ha-
bitátio ejus.
Antiphon 9
Factus sum * sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mór-
tuos liber.
Psalm 87
D
Ó M I N E , Deus salútis meæ : * in die
clamávi, et nocte coram te.
Intret in conspéctu tuo orátio mea : *
inclína aurem tuam ad precem meam :
Quia repléta est malis ánima mea : * et vita mea
inférno appropinquávit.
Æstimátus sum cum descendéntibus in lacum : *
factus sum sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mórtuos
liber.
Sicut vulneráti dormiéntes in sepúlcris, quorum
non es memor ámplius : * et ipsi de manu tua re-
púlsi sunt.
Posuérunt me in lacu inferióri : * in tenebrósis, et
in umbra mortis.
Super me confirmátus est furor tuus : * et omnes
fluctus tuos induxísti super me.
Longe fecísti notos meos a me : * posuérunt me
abominatiónem sibi.
Tráditus sum, et non egrediébar : * óculi mei lan-
guérunt præ inópia.
Clamávi ad te, Dómine, tota die : * expándi ad te
manus meas.
Numquid mórtuis fácies mirabília : * aut médici
suscitábunt, et confitebúntur tibi ?
Numquid narrábit áliquis in sepúlcro miseri-
córdiam tuam, * et veritátem tuam in perditióne ?
Numquid cognoscéntur in ténebris mirabília tua,
* et justítia tua in terra obliviónis ?
Et ego ad te, Dómine, clamávi : * et mane orátio
mea prævéniet te.
Ut quid, Dómine, repéllis oratiónem meam : * a-
vértis fáciem tuam a me ?
Pauper sum ego, et in labóribus a juventúte mea :
* exaltátus autem, humiliátus sum et conturbátus.
In me transiérunt iræ tuæ : * et terróres tui con-
turbavérunt me.
Circumdedérunt me sicut aqua tota die : * circum-
dedérunt me simul.
- 59 -
Vow ye, and pay unto the Lord your God: * all ye
that are round about Him bring presents,
Unto Him that is fearsome, even unto Him who
taketh away the spirit of princes, * unto the
fearsome among the kings of the earth.
Ant. 8. In peace hath his abode been made, and in
Sion his dwelling.
I am become * like a man without help, free
among the dead.
O L ORD , the God of my salvation, * I have cried in
the day, and in the night before Thee.
O let my prayer enter into Thy presence, * incline
Thine ear unto my calling;
For my soul is filled with evils, * and my life hath
drawn nigh unto hell.
I am counted as one of them that go down into
the pit, * and I am even as a man that hath no help,
cast off among the dead.
Like them that lie slain, sleeping in the grave, of
whom there is no remembrance, * and they are cast
away from Thy hand.
They have laid me very low in a pit, * in darkness,
and the shadow of death.
Thy fury is strong over me, * and Thou hast
brought in all Thy waves upon me.
Thou hast put away my friends far from me, *
and made me an abomination to them.
I was delivered up and came not forth: * mine
eyes failed for mine affliction.
All the day I cried to Thee, O Lord, * I stretched
forth my hands unto Thee.
Wilt Thou show Thy wonders to the dead? * or
shall physicians raise them to life, that they may
praise Thee?
Shall any one in the grave tell of Thy mercy? * or
of Thy truth in their destruction?
Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark? * or
Thy righteousness in the land of oblivion?
But I, O Lord, have cried unto Thee: * and in the
morning my prayer shall come before Thee.
Lord, why abhorrest Thou my prayer? * Why
turnest Thou away Thy face from me?
I am poor, and in labours even from my youth, *
and being exalted have been humbled and troubled.
Thy furies have swept over me, * and Thy terrors
have harrowed me.
They came round about me like water all the day:
* and compassed me about on every side.
 Elongásti a me amícum et próximum : * et notos Friend and neighbour Thou hast taken away from
meos a miséria. me, * and hid mine acquaintances from my misery.
Ant. 9. Factus sum sicut homo sine adjutório, Ant. 9. I am become like a man without help, free
inter mórtuos liber. among the dead.

V. In pace factus est locus ejus. V. In peace hath his abode been made.
R. Et in Sion habitátio ejus. R. And in Sion his dwelling.

Pater noster secreto. Our Father in silence.

Lesson VII Heb 9: 11-14

De Epístola beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Hebrǽos. From the Epistle of the Blessed Apostle
Paul to the Hebrews.

C
HRISTUS assístens Póntifex futurórum bo-
nórum, per ámplius et perféctius taberná-
culum non manufáctum, id est, non hujus
creatiónis : neque per sánguinem hircó-
rum, aut vitulórum, sed per próprium sánguinem
introívit semel in Sancta, ætérna redemptióne in-
vénta. Si enim sanguis hircórum, et taurórum, et ci-
nis vítulæ aspérsus inquinátos sanctíficat ad emun-
datiónem carnis : quanto magis sanguis Christi, qui
per Spíritum Sanctum semetípsum óbtulit immacu-
látum Deo, emundábit consciéntiam nostram ab
opéribus mórtuis, ad serviéndum Deo vivénti ?
The verse, But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us, is not said here, but the responsory is said immediately.
C HRIST , having become an high priest of the good
things to come, by a greater and more perfect taber-
nacle not made with hands, that is, not of this
creation, neither by the blood of goats, nor of calves,
but by His own blood, hath entered once into the
Holy of Holies, having obtained eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes
of an heifer sprinkling the defiled, sanctify unto the
cleansing of the flesh, how much more shall the
blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered
Himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our con-
science from dead works, to serve the living God?

Responsory VII Ps. 2: 2, 1

R. Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convené-
runt in unum, * Advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus
Christum ejus.
V. Quare fremuérunt Gentes, et pópuli meditáti
sunt inánia ? * Advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus
Christum ejus.
R. The kings of the earth have arisen, and the
rulers have taken counsel together, * Against the
Lord, and against His Christ.
V. Why have the nations raged, and the peoples
imagined foolish things? * Against the Lord, and
against His Christ.

Lesson VIII Heb. 9: 15-18

E
T ídeo novi testaménti mediátor est : ut,
morte intercedénte, in redemptiónem eá-
rum prævaricatiónum, quæ erant sub pri-
óri testaménto, repromissiónem accípiant,
qui vocáti sunt ætérnæ hereditátis. Ubi enim testa-
méntum est : mors necésse est intercédat testatóris.
Testaméntum enim in mórtuis confirmátum est :
alióquin nondum valet, dum vivit qui testátus est.
Unde nec primum quidem sine sánguine dedi-
cátum est.
A ND therefore He is the mediator of the new testa-
ment: that by means of His death, for the redemp-
tion of those trangressions which were under the
former testament, they that are called may receive
the promise of eternal inheritance. For where there
is a testament, there must also of necessity be the
death of the testator. For a testament is of force only
after men are dead: otherwise it is as yet of no
strength, whilst the testator liveth. Whereupon
neither was the first testament indeed ratified
without blood.

- 60 -
 Responsory VIII Ps. 87: 5, 6, 7
R. Æstimátus sum cum descendéntibus in lacum : R. I am counted as one of them that go down into
* Factus sum sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mór- the pit: * And I have been even as a man without
tuos liber. help, free among the dead.
V. Posuérunt me in lacu inferióri, in tenebrósis, et V. They have laid me very low in a pit, in
in umbra mortis. * Factus sum sicut homo sine darkness, and in the shadow of death. * And I have
adjutório, inter mórtuos liber. been even as a man without help, free among the
dead.

Lesson IX Heb. 9: 19-22

L
ECTO enim omni mandáto legis a Móyse
univérso pópulo : accípiens sánguinem
vitulórum, et hircó-rum cum aqua et lana
coccínea, et hyssópo : ipsum quoque librum,
et omnem pópulum aspérsit, dicens : Hic sanguis
testaménti, quod mandávit ad vos Deus. Etiam
tabernáculum, et ómnia vasa ministérii sánguine
simíliter aspérsit : et ómnia pene in sánguine
secúndum legem mundántur : et sine sánguinis
effúsióne non fit remíssio.
Responsory IX
R. Sepúlto Dómino, signátum est monuméntum,
volvéntes lápidem ad óstium monuménti : * Ponén-
tes mílites, qui custodírent illum.
V. Accedéntes príncipes sacerdótum ad Pilátum,
petiérunt illum. * Ponéntes mílites, qui custodírent
illum.
R. Sepúlto Dómino, signátum est monuméntum,
volvéntes lápidem ad óstium monuménti : * Ponén-
tes mílites, qui custodírent illum
F OR when every commandment of the law had
been read by Moses to all the people, he took the
blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet
wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself
and all the people, saying: This is the blood of the
testament, which God hath enjoined unto you.
Moreover, he sprinkled with blood both the taber-
nacle also and all the vessels of the ministry in like
manner. And almost all things, according to the law,
are cleansed with blood: and without shedding of
blood there is no remission of sins.
cf. Mk. 15: 46; Mt. 27: 60-66
R. When the Lord was buried, they sealed the
sepulchre, and rolled a great stone unto the door
thereof, * And they set a band of soldiers to guard it.
V. The chief priests and Pharisees came unto
Pilate, and they besought him. * And they set a
band of soldiers to guard it.
R. When the Lord was buried, they sealed the
sepulchre, and rolled a great stone unto the door
thereof, * And they set a band of soldiers to guard it.

Thus ends the Office of Matins, and immediately the Office of Lauds begins.

AT LAUDS
Antiphon 1
O mors, * ero mors tua, morsus tuus ero, inférne. O death, * I will be thy death: O hell, I will be thy
destruction.

Psalm 50

M
I S E R É R E mei Deus, * secúndum mag-
nam misericórdiam tuam.
Et secúndum multitúdinem miserati-
ónum tuárum, * dele iniquitátem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitáte mea :
* et a peccáto meo munda me.
Quóniam iniquitátem meam ego cognósco : * et
peccátum meum contra me est semper.
H AVE mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy
great mercy.
And according to the multitude of Thy tender
mercies, * blot out mine iniquity.
Wash me yet more from mine iniquity, * and
cleanse me from my sin.
For I know mine iniquity, * and my sin is always
before me.

- 61 -
 Tibi soli peccávi, et malum coram te feci : * ut jus-
tificéris in sermónibus tuis, et vincas cum judicáris.
Ecce enim in iniquitátibus concéptus sum : * et in
peccátis concépit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritátem dilexísti : * incérta et occúlta
sapiéntiæ tuæ manifestásti mihi.
Aspérges me hyssópo, et mundábor : * lavábis me,
et super nivem dealbábor.
Audítui meo dabis gáudium et lætítiam : * et ex-
sultábunt ossa humiliáta.
Avérte fáciem tuam a peccátis meis : * et omnes
iniquitátes meas dele.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus : * et spíritum rec-
tum ínnova in viscéribus meis.
Ne projícias me a fácie tua : * et spíritum sanctum
tuum ne áuferas a me.
Redde mihi lætítiam salutáris tui : * et spíritu prin-
cipáli confírma me.
Docébo iníquos vias tuas : * et ímpii ad te conver-
téntur.
Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus salútis
meæ : * et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.
Dómine, lábia mea apéries : * et os meum an-
nuntiábit laudem tuam.
Quóniam si voluísses sacrifícium dedíssem úti-
que : * holocáustis non delectáberis.
Sacrifícium Deo spíritus contribulátus : * cor con-
trítum, et humiliátum, Deus non despícies.
Benígne fac, Dómine, in bona voluntáte tua Sion :
* ut ædificéntur muri Jerúsalem.
Tunc acceptábis sacrifícium justítiæ, oblatiónes, et
holocáusta : * tunc impónent super altáre tuum ví-
tulos.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the first antiphon is immediately repeated:
Ant. 1. O mors, ero mors tua, morsus tuus ero,
inférne.
Antiphon 2
Plangent eum * quasi unigénitum, quia ínnocens
Dóminus occísus est.
- 62 -
Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil in
Thy sight; * that Thou mayst be justified in Thy
words, and mayst overcome when Thou shalt judge.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, * and in
sins did my mother conceive me.
But lo, Thou hast desired truth: * the uncertain
and hidden things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made
manifest to me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be
cleansed; * Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be
made whiter than snow.
To my hearing Thou shalt give joy and gladness: *
and the bones that have been broken shall rejoice.
Turn away Thy face from my sins, * and blot out
all my iniquities.
Create a clean heart in me, O God, * and renew a
right spirit in my inmost parts.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, * and take
not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, * and
strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I shall teach Thy ways to the wicked, * and the
ungodly shall be converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, Thou God of
my salvation; * and my tongue shall extol Thy
justice.
O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips, * and my mouth
shall declare Thy praise.
For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I woud indeed
have given it: * but Thou delightest not in burnt-
offerings.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: * a contrite
and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Deal favourably, O Lord, in Thy good will with
Sion; * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice,
oblations and whole burnt offerings; * then shall
they lay calves upon Thine altar.
Ant. 1. O death, I will be thy death: O hell, I will
be thy destruction.
They shall mourn for Him * as one mourneth for
an only-begotten son, because the Lord, Who is
without sin, has been put to death.
 Psalm 91
B
ONUM est confitéri Dómino : * et psállere
nómini tuo, Altíssime.
Ad annuntiándum mane misericórdiam
tuam : * et veritátem tuam per noctem.
In decachórdo, psaltério : * cum cántico, in cítha-
ra.
Quia delectásti me, Dómine, in factúra tua : * et in
opéribus mánuum tuárum exsultábo.
Quam magnificáta sunt ópera tua, Dómine ! *
nimis profúndæ factæ sunt cogitatiónes tuæ.
Vir insípiens non cognóscet : * et stultus non in-
télliget hæc.
Cum exórti fúerint peccatóres sicut fœnum : * et
apparúerint omnes, qui operántur iniquitátem.
Ut intéreant in sǽculum sǽculi : * tu autem Altís-
simus in ætérnum, Dómine.
Quóniam ecce inimíci tui, Dómine, quóniam ecce
inimíci tui períbunt : * et dispergéntur omnes, qui
operántur iniquitátem.
Et exaltábitur sicut unicórnis cornu meum : * et
senéctus mea in misericórdia úberi.
Et despéxit óculus meus inimícos meos : * et in
insurgéntibus in me malignántibus áudiet auris
mea.
Justus, ut palma florébit : * sicut cedrus Líbani
multiplicábitur.
Plantáti in domo Dómini, * in átriis domus Dei
nostri florébunt.
Adhuc multiplicabúntur in senécta úberi : * et
bene patiéntes erunt, ut annúntient :
Quóniam rectus Dóminus, Deus noster : * et non
est iníquitas in eo.
Ant. 2. Plangent eum * quasi unigénitum, quia
ínnocens Dóminus occísus est.
Antiphon 3
Atténdite, * univérsi pópuli, et vidéte dolórem
meum.
Psalm 63
E
XÁUDI, Deus, oratiónem meam cum dé-
precor : * a timóre inimíci éripe ánimam
meam.
Protexísti me a convéntu malignántium :
* a multitúdine operántium iniquitátem.
Quia exacuérunt ut gládium linguas suas : * in-
tendérunt arcum rem amáram, ut sagíttent in
occúltis immaculátum.
- 63 -
I T is good to give praise to the Lord: * and to sing to
Thy name, O most High.
To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, * and
Thy truth in the night:
Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the
psaltery: * with a canticle upon the harp.
For Thou hast given me, O Lord, a delight in Thy
doings: * and in the works of Thy hands I shall
rejoice.
O Lord, how great are Thy works! * Thy thoughts
are exceeding deep.
The senseless man shall not know: * nor will the
fool understand these things.
When the wicked shall spring up as grass: * and
all the workers of iniquity shall appear:
That they may perish for ever and ever: * but
Thou, O Lord, art Most High for evermore.
For behold Thy enemies, O Lord, for behold Thy
enemies shall perish: * and all the workers of ini-
quity shall be scattered.
But my horn shall be exalted like that of the
unicorn: and my old age in plentiful mercy.
Mine eye also hath looked down upon mine
enemies: * and mine ear shall hear of the downfall
of the malignant that rise up against me.
The just shall flourish like the palm tree: * he shall
grow up like the cedar of Lebanon.
They that are planted in the house of the Lord *
shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: * and
shall be well treated, that they may show forth,
That the Lord our God is righteous, * and there is
no iniquity in Him.
Ant. 2. They shall mourn for Him as one
mourneth for an only-begotten son, because the
Lord, Who is without sin, has been put to death.
Behold, * O all ye people, and see my sorrow.
H EAR , O God, my prayer, when I make suppli-
cation to Thee: * deliver my soul from the fear of
the enemy.
Thou hast protected me from the assembly of
evildoers; * from the multitude of the workers of
iniquity.
For they have whetted their tongues like a sword;
* they have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot in
secret the undefiled.
 Súbito sagittábunt eum, et non timébunt : * firma-
vérunt sibi sermónem nequam.
Narravérunt ut abscónderent láqueos : * dixérunt :
Quis vidébit eos ?
Scrutáti sunt iniquitátes : * defecérunt scrutántes
scrutínio.
Accédet homo ad cor altum : * et exaltábitur Deus.
Sagíttæ parvulórum factæ sunt plagæ eórum : * et
infirmátæ sunt contra eos linguæ eórum.
Conturbáti sunt omnes qui vidébant eos : * et
tímuit omnis homo.
Et annuntiavérunt ópera Dei, * et facta ejus in-
tellexérunt.
Lætábitur justus in Dómino, et sperábit in eo : * et
laudabúntur omnes recti corde.
Ant. 3. Atténdite, univérsi pópuli, et vidéte doló-
rem meum.
Antiphon 4
A porta ínferi * érue, Dómine, ánimam meam.
Canticle of Isaias
E
GO dixi: in dimídio diérum meórum *
vadam ad portas ínferi.
Quæsívi resíduum annórum meórum. *
Dixi : Non vidébo Dóminum Deum in
terra vivéntium.
Non aspíciam hóminem ultra, * et habitatórem
quiétis.
Generátio mea abláta est, et convolúta est a me, *
quasi tabernáculum pastórum.
Præcísa est velut a texénte, vita mea: dum adhuc
ordírer, succídit me : * de mane usque ad vésperam
fínies me.
Sperábam usque ad mane, * quasi leo sic contrívit
ómnia ossa mea :
De mane usque ad vésperam fínies me : * sicut
pullus hirúndinis sic clamábo, meditábor ut col-
úmba :
Attenuáti sunt óculi mei, * suspiciéntes in excélsum :
Dómine, vim pátior, respónde pro me. * Quid di-
cam, aut quid respondébit mihi, cum ipse fécerit ?
Recogitábo tibi omnes annos meos * in amari-
túdine ánimæ meæ.
Dómine, si sic vivítur, et in tálibus vita spíritus
mei, corrípies me et vivificábis me. * Ecce in pace
amaritúdo mea amaríssima :
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They will shoot at him all of a sudden, * and will
not fear: they are resolute in wickedness.
They have talked of hiding snares; * they have
said: Who shall see them?
They have searched after iniquities: * they have
failed in their search.
Man shall come to a deep heart: * and God shall
be exalted.
The arrows of children are their wounds: * and
their tongues against them are made weak.
All that saw them were troubled; * and every man
was afraid.
And they declared the works of God: * and
understood His doings.
The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in
Him: * and all the upright in heart shall be praised.
Ant. 3. Behold, O all ye people, and see my
sorrow.
From the gate of hell, * deliver my soul, O Lord.
Is. 38: 10-20
I SAID : In the midst of my days * I shall go to the
gates of hell.
I sought for the residue of my years. * I said: I
shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living.
I shall behold man no more, * nor the inhabitant
of rest.
My generation is at an end, * and it is rolled away
from me, as a shepherd’s tent.
My life is cut off, as by a weaver: whilst I was yet
but beginning, he cut me off: * from morning even
to night thou wilt make an end of me.
I hoped till morning, * as a lion so hath he broken
all my bones.
From morning even to night thou wilt make an
end of me. * I will cry like a young swallow, I will
meditate like a dove.
Mine eyes are weakened * looking upward.
Lord, I suffer violence, answer Thou for me. *
What shall I say, or what shall He answer for me,
whereas He himself hath done it?
I will recount to Thee all my years * in the
bitterness of my soul.
O Lord, if man’s life be such, and the life of my
spirit be in such things as these, Thou shalt correct
me, and make me to live. * Behold in peace is my
bitterness most bitter.
 Tu autem eruísti ánimam meam ut non períret : *
projecísti post tergum tuum ómnia peccáta mea.
Quia non inférnus confitébitur tibi, neque mors
laudábit te : * non exspectábunt qui descéndunt in
lacum, veritátem tuam.
Vivens vivens ipse confitébitur tibi, sicut et ego
hódie : * pater fíliis notam fáciet veritátem tuam.
Dómine, salvum me fac, * et psalmos nostros
cantábimus cunctis diébus vitæ nostræ in domo
Dómini.
Ant. 4. A porta ínferi érue, Dómine, ánimam
meam.
But Thou hast delivered my soul that it should not
perish; * Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.
For hell shall not confess to Thee, neither shall
death praise Thee: * nor shall they that go down into
the pit, look for Thy truth.
The living, the living shall give praise to Thee, as I
do this day: * the father shall make thy truth known
to the children.
O Lord, save me, * and we will sing our psalms all
the days of our life in the house of the Lord.
Ant. 4. From the gate of hell, deliver my soul, O
Lord.

Antiphon 5
O vos omnes, * qui transítis per viam, atténdite, et All ye * that pass by the way, behold and see if
vidéte si est dolor sicut dolor meus. there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.

Psalm 147

L
AUDÁTE Dóminum in sanctis ejus : *
laudáte eum in firmaménto virtútis ejus.
Laudáte eum in virtútibus ejus : * lau-
dáte eum secúndum multitúdinem magni-
túdinis ejus.
Laudáte eum in sono tubæ : * laudáte eum in
psaltério, et cíthara.
Laudáte eum in tympano, et choro : * laudáte
eum in cordis, et órgano.
Laudáte eum in cymbalis benesonántibus : lau-
dáte eum in cymbalis jubilatiónis: * omnis spíritus
laudet Dóminum.
Ant. 5. O vos omnes, qui transítis per viam, attén-
dite, et vidéte si est dolor sicut dolor meus.
O PRAISE ye the Lord in His holy places: * praise ye
Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise Him for His mighty acts: * praise Him
according to the multitude of His greatness.
Praise Him with sound of trumpet: * praise Him
with psaltery and harp.
Praise Him with timbrel and choir: * praise Him
with strings and organs.
Praise Him on high sounding cymbals; praise
Him on cymbals of joy: * let every spirit praise the
Lord.
Ant. 5. All ye that pass by the way, behold and
see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.

All of the candles on the triangular candelabra have now been extinguished, save one, which remains lit at the
highest point of the candelabra.

Chapter and hymn are not said during the Sacred Triduum, but the Versicle follows immediately:

V. Caro mea requiéscet in spe. V. My flesh also shall rest in hope.

R. Et nec dabis sanctum tuum vidére corruptió- R. Neither shalt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see
nem. corruption.

Antiphon at the Benedictus

Mulíeres * sedéntes ad monuméntum lamenta- The women * sitting over against the sepulchre,
bántur, flentes Dóminum. made lamentation, weeping for the Lord.

During the Canticle Benedictus, the six candles on the altar are extinguished gradually, one by one, so that the last
candle is put out at the last verse. All the lights and lamps throughout the Church are then put out.

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 Canticle of Zachary: Benedictus Lk. 1: 68-79

B
ENEDÍCTUS
Dóminus Deus Israël : *
quia visitávit, et fecit redemptiónem ple-
bis suæ :
Et eréxit cornu salútis nobis : * in domo
David, púeri sui.
Sicut locútus est per os sanctórum, * qui a sǽculo
sunt, prophetárum ejus :
Salútem ex inimícis nostris, * et de manu ómnium,
qui odérunt nos :
Ad faciéndam misericórdiam cum pátribus nos-
tris, * et memorári testaménti sui sancti :
Jusjurándum, quod jurávit ad Abraham patrem
nostrum, * datúrum se nobis :
Ut sine timóre, de manu inimicórum nostrórum
liberáti, * serviámus illi :
In sanctitáte, et justítia coram ipso, * ómnibus dié-
bus nostris.
Et tu, puer, Prophéta Altíssimi vocáberis : * præ-
íbis enim ante fáciem Dómini, paráre vias ejus :
Ad dandam sciéntiam salútis plebi ejus : * in re-
missiónem peccatórum eórum :
Per víscera misericórdiæ Dei nostri : * in quibus
visitávit nos, óriens ex alto :
Illumináre his, qui in ténebris, et in umbra mortis
sedent: * ad dirigéndos pedes nostros in viam pacis.
The Glory be to the Father is not said here, but instead the antiphon is immediately repeated.
Ant. Mulíeres sedéntes ad monuméntum lamenta-
bántur, flentes Dóminum.
B LESSED
be the Lord God of Israel; * because He
hath visited and wrought the redemption of His
people;
And hath raised up a horn of Salvation to us, * in
the house of David, His servant;
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, *
who are from the beginning:
Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hands
of all that hate us;
To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remem-
ber His holy testament;
The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father,
* that He would grant to us,
That being delivered from the hand of our ene-
mies, * we may serve Him without fear,
In holiness and justice before Him, * all our days.
And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the
Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the
Lord to prepare His ways;
To give knowledge of salvation to His people, *
unto the remission of their sins:
Through the tender mercy of our God, * in which
the Day-spring from on high hath visited us;
To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the
shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of
peace.
Ant. The women sitting over against the sepul-
chre, made lamentation, weeping for the Lord.

The highest candle on the candelabra is taken and hidden behind the altar on the Epistle side. Then, all kneel for the
Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion.

C
HRISTUS factus est pro nobis obédiens us-
que ad mortem, mortem autem Crucis.
Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum, et
dedit illi nomen, quod est super omne nomen.
C HRIST became obedient for our sake unto death,
even death on the Cross. Wherefore hath God
raised Him on high, and given unto Him the Name
Which is above every other name.

Then Lord’s Prayer is said in complete silence.

Then,without Oremus, the is said the following:
Collect

C
ONCÉDE, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, A LMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee, grant that we
qui Fílii tui resurrectiónem devóta exspec- who anticipate the Resurrection of Thy Son with
tatióne prævénimus ; ejúsdem resurrectiónis faithful expectation may come to attain the glory of
glóriam consequámur. this same Resurrection.

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 The conclusion is said in silence.

Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Who with Thee livest and reignest in the unity of
Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Amen.

Then the strepitus, a loud sound made by knocking on the choir benches, is made. This symbolises the convulsions
of nature which occurred when our Lord died on the Cross: the earth trembled, the sun was darkenened, rocks were
split asunder, and the bodies of the dead came forth from their tombs.
When the lighted candle reappears, all rise in silence.
Thus end the Offices of Tenebræ.

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