Morning Prayer Readings
Saturday after Epiphany 3

The First Lesson
The Second Lesson
The Collect
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The Psalter


Psalm 55


The Fifty-Fifth Psalm

Exaudi, Deus.


HEAR my prayer, O God, * and hide not thyself from my petition.
 
Take heed unto me, and hear me, * how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed;
 
The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast; * for they are minded to do me some mischief, so maliciously are they set against me.
 
My heart is disquieted within me, * and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
 
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, * and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
 
And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! * for then would I flee away, and be at rest.
 
Lo, then would I get me away far off, * and remain in the wilderness.
 
I would make haste to escape, * because of the stormy wind and tempest.
 
Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them; * for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.
 
Day and night they go about within the walls thereof: * mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
 
Wickedness is therein; * deceit and guile go not out of her streets.
 
For it is not an open enemy that hath done me this dishonour; * for then I could have borne it;
 
Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me; * for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him;
 
But it was even thou, my companion, * my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
 
We took sweet counsel together, * and walked in the house of God as friends.
 
Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down alive into the pit; * for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
 
As for me, I will call upon God, * and the LORD shall save me.
 
In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly; * and he shall hear my voice.
 
It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; * for there were many that strove with me.
 
Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down; * for they will not turn, nor fear God.
 
He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him, * and he brake his covenant.
 
The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart; * his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
 
O cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall nourish thee, * and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.
 
And as for them, * thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.
 
The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days: * nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.



 

The First Lesson


Proverbs 16:25


There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.



 

The Second Lesson

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



 

The Collect

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



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