Old English Benedictine Office (compiled c. 1000, perhaps by Wulfstan of York)

Of the Offices of the Day and Night Hours

Divine service is set in the offices of the Church, after canonical custom, as a binding duty for all men in orders. At every time a man should praise God, and in every place call earnestly to God. But nevertheless times are set apart for this alone, so that if anyone may not do it more often for business, he may at least fulfil that duty daily, even as David said: "Septies in die laudem dixi tibi"; that is, "Seven times a day I sang to thee, O Lord, for praise and for worship."

It is too seldom, if it be ever more seldom in the day, that we praise God than seven times: that is, once first early in the morning, and again at undern (the third hour), and at midday, and at none, and at evening, and at fore-night, and at the time of uht (before dawn). It is never any man's due that he can praise God as fully as he is worthy. But it is the need of us all that we serve and minister to him earnestly as far as we may and can.

Of the Morning Office (at Daybreak)

At daybreak a man shall praise God, even as David said, "Deus, deus meus, ad te de luce vigilo"; that is, "My Lord, to thee I wake from first light." And again he said, "In matutinis, Domine, meditabor in te, quia fuisti adiutor meus"; that is, "At daybreak I meditate on thee, because thou wert my help." Christ is the help of all mankind and the helper of all the world.

At daybreak it came to pass that through God's might Moses led the Israelite people out of the land of Egypt, all unharmed, over the Red Sea; and soon after that the same sea sank and drowned God's adversaries, Pharaoh and all his company. And at daybreak it came to pass that Christ arose from death, and led out of hell all whom he would; and his adversary, that is the devil himself, he sank, and all his company, in the torment of hell.

Therefore we must earnestly praise God at daybreak, and ever thank him for the mercy which he then wrought on mankind, when he redeemed it from the torment of hell and the devil's power, and thenceforth made room for a right way to the kingdom of heaven for each who works his will here in life. Amen.

Of Prime: the First Hour of the Day

At the first hour of the day, that is at sunrise, we must praise God and earnestly pray him that through his mercy he enlighten our hearts with the light of the true Sun; that is, that through his grace he so enlighten our understanding that the devil may not lead us from the right way through harmful darkness, nor too greatly hinder us with chains of sin.

Deus, in adiutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina. Be thou, Lord God, a dear help! Behold me, Lord, and quickly then help me in the need of my life!

The Gloria Patri, in Old English Verse

Gloria Patri. Glory and praise be to thee, widely revealed through all nations, thanks and good will, power and mercy and love of all the mind, peace of the righteous and thine own glory, made beautiful in the world; for thou art able to rule all the might of earth and the upper air, wind and clouds: thou rulest all rightly.

Et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Thou art Father of comforts and guardian of life, leader of life, ruler of light, set apart from sins; as is thy glorious Son through pure nature, King over all, bold and blessed, teacher of books; and the high comforter of the mind, the Holy Spirit.

Sicut erat in principio. So was the Lord of mankind in the beginning, beauty and comfort of all the world, pure and mighty. Thou madest it known when thou, eternal God, alone didst make through holy might the heavens and the earth, the dwelling places and the upper air and all things. Thou didst set on the earth very many kinds, and afterwards didst part them into multitudes; thou, eternal God, madest all creatures in six days, and on the seventh thou didst rest. Then was thy fair work completed, and thou thyself didst hallow Sunday and make it renowned, for a help to many. That high day all keep and honour who know Christian ways, holy love of heart and the command of the Highest: in the Lord's name the day is honoured.

Et nunc et semper. And now and ever thy true works and thy great might are made plain to many, as thy powers make known far and wide over all the world: God's handiwork stands eternal, and grows as thou didst bid. All holy joys praise thee with clear voice, and Christian books, all the earth; and we men on the ground here say praise and thanks to God, eternal goodwill, and thy sovereignty.

Et in saecula saeculorum. And for ever and ever the King dwells and reigns in glory, and his chosen ones: the high majesty of the Holy Spirit, wise angels and gifts of glory, true peace, the receiving of souls, mercy of mind. There is the greatest love: the heavens of holiness are everywhere full through thine eternal word; so are thy powers over the earth plain and seen, for thou thyself didst make them. Amen.

We all say that "truly". Through pure nature thou art rightly King, pure and mighty. Thou madest it known when thou, mighty God, madest man, and didst put into him breath and soul, gavest him speech and understanding and the nature of growing things: thou madest known thy powers. Such is Christ's might.

Hymn, Versicle and Chapter

Hymn: Iam lucis orto sidere (Now that the daylight fills the sky).

Deus, in nomine tuo salvum me fac. In thy holy name make me whole, O God; deliver me from my foes through thy dear might!

The chapter: Regi autem saeculorum immortali, invisibili, soli Deo honor et gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. (Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.) Deo gratias.

Christe Iesu, Fili Dei vivi, cum Sancto Spiritu, miserere nobis. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Miserere nobis. Gloria Patri. Christe Iesu.

Exsurge, Domine, adiuva nos. Arise now, Lord, and swiftly give us firm help, and rescue us from the enemy; for we love thy name with longing!

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

The Lord's Prayer, in Old English Verse

Pater noster qui es in caelis. Father of mankind, I pray thee for comfort, holy Lord, who art in heaven.

Sanctificetur nomen tuum. Hallowed be thy name now, saving Christ, made fast in our heart's enclosure by the power of the mind.

Adveniat regnum tuum. Come now to men, Ruler of powers, thy kingdom to us, righteous Judge; and may thy faith abide glorious in our minds in the day of life.

Fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra. And let thy will be performed with us in the dwelling of earth's kingdom, as clear as it is in heaven's glory, made beautiful with joys for ever and ever.

Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie. Give us now today, Lord of men, high King of the heavens, our bread, which thou didst send for the healing of souls into the world of mankind: that is the pure Christ, the Lord God.

Et dimitte nobis debita nostra. Forgive us, Guardian of men, our guilts and sins, and release our offences, the wounds of the body and evil deeds, as we often offend against thee, the gracious almighty God;

Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. As we forgive offences on earth to those who often sin against us, and think not to hold their wrongdoing against them, for the earning of eternal life.

Et ne nos inducas in temptationem. Lead us not to punishment in woe and sorrow, nor into temptation, saving Christ, lest we, graceless, become strangers to all thy mercies through enmity.

Sed libera nos a malo. And free us also now from evil, from every enemy. In our heart's enclosure, Lord of angels, we earnestly say thanks and glory, true Lord of victory, because thou graciously didst redeem us by thy might from the bondage of hell's torment. Amen. So be it.

Vivet anima mea et laudabit te. My soul shall live and gladly praise thee, and thy judgements shall help me in my deeds.

Erravi sicut ovis quae periit. I have gone astray like the foolish sheep that was ready to perish: O seek thy servant, Lord! for I have never forgotten thy bright commandments.

The Apostles' Creed, in Old English Verse

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem. Almighty Father up in the heavens, who didst shape and make the bright creation, and didst establish all the plain of the earth: I acknowledge thee the one eternal, and gladly believe. Thou art Lord of life, the source of angels, the ruler of earth; thou madest the depths of the ocean, and thou knowest the many glorious stars.

Et in Iesum Christum Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum. I believe in thy true Son, the saving King, sent hither from the kingdom of angels on high, whom Gabriel, God's messenger, announced to Saint Mary herself. A spotless woman, she received the message freely, and bore beneath her breast a child to thee, the Father. There was no sin wrought in the giving, but there the Holy Spirit gave the gift and filled the maiden's bosom with bliss; and she openly bore so great a Creator of angels to the dwellers on earth, who became a comfort to men; and about Bethlehem angels proclaimed that Christ was born on earth.

Passus sub Pontio Pilato. When Pontius Pilate ruled the realm and its judgements under the Romans, then the dear Lord suffered death; the Lord of men mounted the gallows, and Joseph, sad of mind, buried him. And he fetched spoil from hell, many souls from that house of torment, and bade them seek the homeland above.

Tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. Then on the third day the Ruler of peoples, the Lord of the kingdom, arose swiftly from the earth. And forty days he taught his followers mysteries, and then went to his kingdom, to seek the homeland above. He said that he would forsake none who would follow him thenceforth and keep faith with him with steadfast mind.

Credo in Spiritum Sanctum. I hold the Holy Spirit in hope, as eternal as is either the Father or the noble Son, in the tongues of the peoples. These are not three gods named three times, but one God, who holds the three names in the mysteries of things, true and victorious over the wide creation, the proud and eternal giver of glory to the hosts.

Sanctam ecclesiam catholicam. I believe also that those dear to God praise with one mind the Lord, the high King of the heavens, here in this life.

Sanctorum communionem. And I trust in the glorious communion of thy saints here in this life.

Remissionem peccatorum. I believe in forgiveness of every sin.

Carnis resurrectionem. And I trust in the rising again of all flesh on earth at that fearful time,

Et vitam aeternam. Where thou wilt deal out eternal life to all, as each man here has pleased the Creator.

The Psalm Verses and Prayers of Prime

Et ego ad te, Domine, clamavi. I have cried unto thee, eternal Lord, with the might of my mind's thought, and my prayer shall come every morning before thee thyself, O true one!

Verba mea auribus percipe, Domine. Receive thou my words, Prince of glory, and hear with thine ears, eternal Lord! Understand my cries in known speech; behold my prayer with gracious mind; thou art my King and also eternal God! For I will pray to thee truly, eternal Lord, and do thou ever hear my voice every morning! I shall stand before thee early in the morning and see thee thyself; for I know in truth that thou willest no unrighteousness, O Lord.

Vias tuas, Domine, notas fac mihi. Make thy ways known to me, O Lord, and teach me also the steps of thy paths! Guide me in counsel and quickly teach me, that I may ever live in thy truth! Be thou mindful of thy mercies which thou, Lord, hast shown since days were, and since thou didst wisely set this world in order! Remember not too readily against me my grievous sins which I did when young, and which were everywhere unknown to me; in thy great mercy be mindful of me, mighty Lord!

Iudica, Domine, nocentes me. Judge now, O Lord, those who harmed me before; fight likewise against those who fought against me! Take spear and shield, and stand earnestly by me in help against the terror of foes! Hold me with war-weapons against the unfriendly, and shut up the way against wrathful enemies, who are all my persecutors! Say then to my soul that thou wilt stand by her graciously for salvation.

Repleatur os meum laude tua. Let my mouth and my mind be filled with strength, that I may gladly sing thy praise and spread thy glory far and wide, and praise thee everywhere all the day!

Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis. Turn thy face ever away from my grievous sins, and now henceforth quench all my unrighteousness everywhere for ever! Give me, holy God, a clean heart, and renew a right spirit, O God, in my thought, my Lord! Cast me not away, Prince of glory, from thy face for ever; nor take away the Holy Spirit, lest he suddenly become a stranger to me! Give me the gracious bliss of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a princely spirit in thy will, Lord of hosts!

Eripe me, Domine, ab homine malo. Save me from malice, in thy name, from the evil man, eternal Lord! Rescue me, holy God, from the heavy hatred of my foes who fight against me; free me from the hateful ones who would rise up against me, unless thou give me counsel! Save me from the malice of evil-doers who all work unrighteousness here, and heal me from the bale of the bloodthirsty man!

Sic psalmum dicam nomini tuo. So shall I sing to thy name with longing, that I may perform my vow here from day to day, as is fitting.

Exaudi nos, Deus salutaris noster. Hear us, saving God! Thou art the hope of all who dwell without, on this earth, or live far off on the sea.

Benedic, anima mea, Domino. Bless the Lord, my soul, gladly, and all my inward parts his eternal name! Bless the Lord boldly, my soul! Never be thou forgetful of all the good things he has done thee before! He has had mercy on all thy foul deeds, and healed all thy sickness. He redeemed thy dear life from destruction, and filled thy desire fairly with good. He has strengthened thee with victorious true mercy and a gracious mind: thou art renewed most like the eagle, made wise now in thy youth.

Confiteor Domino Deo caeli.

Converte nos, Deus salutaris noster. Turn us quickly, saving Lord, and turn away thine anger from us also!

Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire. Have mercy on us now, mighty Lord, have mercy on us!

Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos. Let thy mercy, mighty Lord, be well upon us, as we hope in thee!

Domine, salvum fac regem. Keep the king whole in his deeds, O Lord, and hear us also with gracious mind, in the days when we call upon thee, O Lord!

Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine. Save thy people, holy Lord, and bless all thine inheritance; rule them also, and lift them up aright, that they may live in the world with joys!

Fiat pax in virtute tua. Let there be peace in thy strength, greatest and foremost, and plenty at all times in thy towers!

Domine, exaudi orationem meam. Hear thou my prayer, glorious Lord, Guardian of heaven; and let my cry come to thee, Ruler of peoples!

Miserere mei, Deus. Have mercy on me, mighty Lord, as thou hast done to many, after thy great mercy!

Domine, Deus virtutum, converte nos. Turn us, God of hosts, and graciously show us thy face: we shall all be saved.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who hast brought us to the beginning of this day: save us by thy power, that in this day we may fall into no sin, but that our words may ever go forth and our works be directed to do thy righteousness. Through our Lord.

Pretiosa est in conspectu Domini mors sanctorum eius. Right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

May the holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and all the saints of God intercede for us sinners with the Lord of lords, that we may deserve to be helped and saved by him; who livest and reignest, God.

Deus, in adiutorium meum intende. Be thou, Lord God, a dear help! Behold me, Lord, and quickly then help me in the need of my life! Gloria Patri. Kyrie eleison. Pater noster. Et ne nos inducas.

Respice in servos tuos. Look upon thy servants with kindly eyes, and guide their children with gracious mind! Let the brightness of our gracious Lord, the good God, be upon us earnestly over all! Guide the work of our hands, on high, over us! Gloria Patri.

Let us pray. Vouchsafe, O Lord God, King, Creator of heaven and earth, this day, we beseech thee, and every day, to direct and sanctify and govern our hearts and bodies, our deeds also and words, in thy law and in the works of thy commandments; that here and everywhere through thee we may deserve to be ever safe and free, Saviour of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, qui fecit caelum et terram. Benedicite. May God, the Son of God, vouchsafe to bless us. Amen.

Of Evensong

At evening we must praise God. At that time men offered in the old law, and with the smoke of incense earnestly honoured the altar in the temple to the praise of God; and at evening time our Lord offered at his evening meal, and dealt to his disciples, through a holy mystery, bread and wine for his own body and for his own blood. And it was at evening time that Joseph took down Christ's body from the cross.

Then we have great need to remember such things, and to thank God, and at that time earnestly to offer our prayers to our Lord, even as David said: "Dirigatur, Domine, ad te oratio mea, sicut incensum in conspectu tuo!" Let my own prayer be set forth right swiftly in thy sight, as incense is when the eager coals burn it!

Deus, in adiutorium meum intende. Gloria Patri.

The chapter: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be ever with you all. Deo gratias. Response: Our help is in the name of the Lord. Verse: Who made heaven and earth.

Hymn: O lux beata Trinitas (O Trinity of blessed light).

Verse: Dirigatur, Domine, ad te oratio mea.

At the Gospel canticle: His mercy is on them that fear him, and holy is his name. Verse: Magnificat.

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Pater noster. Et ne nos inducas in temptationem.

The prayers: Ego dixi, Domine (I said, Lord, be merciful unto me).

The collect: Let us pray. At evening and morning and midday we humbly beseech thy majesty, that, driving the darkness of sins out of our hearts, thou wouldest make us come to the true light, which is Christ. Through.

Of Compline (at Fore-night)

At fore-night we must praise God before we go to bed, and remember that Christ was buried in the tomb near fore-night, and his body lay there at rest as long as was his will. Then we have very great need to think of that, and at that time to commend ourselves to God before we go to bed, and to pray him that he grant us quiet rest and shield us against the temptations of the devil, as his will may be.

Converte nos, Deus. Deus, in adiutorium meum.

Hymn: Te lucis ante terminum (Before the ending of the day). Christe qui lux es et dies (O Christ, that art the light and day).

In the night: Tu in nobis es, Domine. Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and thy holy name is called upon us; leave us not, O Lord our God. Deo gratias.

Custodi nos, Domine, ut pupillam oculi. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of an eye.

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Pater noster. Credo in Deum Patrem. Benedicamus Patrem.

Benedictus es, Domine. May almighty God bless and keep us. Amen. Dignare, Domine, nocte ista (Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin).

Let us pray. Visit, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy. Let thy holy angels keep us in it in peace, and may thy blessing be ever upon us. Through the same.

The Lord be with you. Let us bless the Lord. The blessing of God the Father almighty, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, abide with you for ever. Amen.

Of the Night Office (Uhtsang)

At uht we must praise God, even as David said: "Media nocte surgebam ad confitendum tibi super iudicia iustitiae tuae"; that is, "At midnight I arose, Lord," and so on. Christ himself bade that we should earnestly watch; he said: "Vigilate ergo, quia nescitis quando veniet Dominus"; that is, "Watch earnestly, for ye know not when your Lord cometh." And again he said, "Beati servi illi, quos, cum venerit, Dominus"; that is, "Blessed are those men whom the lord finds watching when he comes."

It is great need for us to watch earnestly and be wary; for death will no more make known when he will come than does a thief, but he comes when men least expect. Then is he very blessed who is then watching. He is watching who considers God's will and his own need, and ends his life in that. And he is slack and sleeping who follows all his wicked lusts through the devil's teaching, and ends his life in that.

And so we have great need earnestly to watch and ever be wary against the devil's temptations, and earnestly to call to God and to deserve of him that he help us through his mercy, that at our end-time we may be so watching in good deeds that afterwards we may and must rest in eternal rest.

Now I have touched in some part on the daily services of the hours which a man must do as a binding duty. Then it is great need that a man understand that, besides these, he must often and not seldom praise God and call to God for his many needs, even as the apostle said, "Sine intermissione orate"; that is, "Be ye ever praying." And again the apostle said, "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God"; that is, "If ye eat, or drink, or do anything else, whatever ye do, do it all thanking and praising God."