THE DIVINE HOURS

A form of prayer at specified times to be used by individuals or groups. The Divine Hours includes morning, midday, vespers (evening) and compline (before retiring) offices, having roots in the biblical tradition. By default the Divine Hours below is displayed based on Eastern Standard Time, U.S.

You may find it helpful to read the introduction by the author, Phyllis Tickle.

The Vespers Office

To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m

The Call to Prayer

Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King!* he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Psalm 96:10

The Request for Presence

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,* like the watercourses of the Negev.

Psalm 126:5

The Greeting

Whom have I in heaven but you?* and having you I desire nothing upon earth.

Psalm 73:25

The Hymn

Now let the earth with joy resound And heaven the chant re-echo round; Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise The great Apostle's glorious praise! Sickness and health your voice obey, At your command they go or stay; From sin's disease our souls restore, In good confirm us more and more. So when the world is at its end And Christ to judgment shall descend, May we be called those joys to see Prepared from all eternity. Praise to the Father, with the Son And Paraclete for ever one: To You, O most blessed Trinity Be our praise for all time and eternity.

adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Those who sowed with tears* will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,* will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Psalm 126:6-7

The Vespers Psalm

Turn Again to Your Rest, O My Soul

I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication,* because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me;* I came to grief and sorrow. Then I called upon the Name of the LORD:* "O LORD, I pray you, save my life." Gracious is the LORD and righteous;* our God is full of compassion. The LORD watches over the innocent;* I was brought very low, and he helped me. Turn again to your rest, O my soul,* for the LORD has treated you well.

Psalm 116:1-6

The Refrain

Those who sowed with tears* will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,* will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

The Cry of the Church

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all people, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Almighty God, you have surrounded me with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that I, encouraged by the good example of your servant Bartholomew; may persevere in running the race that is set before me, until at last I may with him attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Divine Hours are reprinted here with permission of Doubleday and Phyllis Tickle. Not for distribution without permission from the author.
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