Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, * and teachest him in thy law;

That thou mayest give him patience in time of adversity, until the pit be digged up for the ungodly.

For the Lord will not fail his people, * neither will he forsake his inheritance. Until righteousness turn again unto judgment: * all such as are true in heart shall follow it.

Who will rise up with me against the wicked? * or who will take my part against the evil doers?

If the Lord had not helped me, * it had not failed, but my soul had been put to silence.

But when I said, My foot hath slipt : * thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.

In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart, * thy comforts have refreshed my soul.

Wilt thou have anything to do with the stool of wickedness, which ima

gineth mischief as a law?

They gather them together against the soul of the righteous, * and condemn the innocent blood.

But the Lord is my refuge ; * and my God is the strength of my confidence.

He shall recompense them their wickedness, and destroy them in their own malice; * yea, the Lord our God shall destroy them.

Antiphon. They gather them together against the soul of the righteous; and condemn the innocent blood.

V. They have spoken against me with false tongues.

R. They compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.

Our Father (secretly).

From the Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.

LE

Lesson VII, Chapter 4. 11.

ET us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but

See

was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

R. They have delivered me up into the hands of the wicked, and cast me out among transgressors, and spared not my soul. The mighty men are gathered together against me ; * Yea, even as giants they stood up against me. V. Strangers are risen up against me, and tyrants seek after my soul. Yea, even as giants.

LET

Lesson VIII.

ET us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

R. A wicked man betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and rulers, and to the elders of the people: * But Peter followed him afar off, that he might see the end. V. And they led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter.

AND

Lesson IX.

ND no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.__As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

R. The sight of mine eyes is gone from me, because of my weeping; for he that comforteth me is removed far from me. Behold, all ye people, * If there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. V. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see. If there be. The sight.

AT LAUDS

[Said as part of Tenebrae on Maundy Thursday evening.]

Antiphon. God + spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. Psalm 51. Miserere mei, Deus.

HAVE

AVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: * according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.

Wash me throughly from my wickedness, * and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults: * and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : * that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.

Behold, I was shapen in wickedness; * and in sin hath my mother conceived

me.

But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts : * and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.

Thou shalt purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than

snow.

Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.