Monday, August 21
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
Every day will I bless you* and praise your Name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:2

The Request for Presence
My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning,* more than watchmen for the morning.
Psalm 130:5


The Greeting

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,* the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Psalm 141:2

The Hymn

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son; Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown. Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing. Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight And all the twinkling, starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast.
German, Traditional

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

The LORD is King; he has put on splendid apparel;* the LORD has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He has made the whole world so sure* that it cannot be moved.
Psalm 93:1–2

The Vespers Psalm

Your Loving-Kindness Is Greater Than the Heavens

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in you;* in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by. My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed;* I will sing and make melody. Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp;* I myself will waken the dawn. I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD;* I will sing praise to you among the nations. For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens,* and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God,* and your glory over all the earth.
Psalm 57:1ff

The Refrain

The LORD is King; he has put on splendid apparel;* the LORD has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He has made the whole world so sure* that it cannot be moved.

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

Almighty God, who has given your only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of his godly life: Give me grace that I may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit and also daily endeavor myself to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Save me, O Lord, while I am awake, and keep me while I sleep that I may wake in Christ and rest in peace.
adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY