Friday, June 23
The Midday Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
All who take refuge in you will be glad;* they will sing out their joy forever. You will shelter them,* so that those who love your Name may exult in you. For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous;* you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:13–15

The Request for Presence
You are the LORD; do not withhold your compassion from me;* let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.
Psalm 40:12


The Greeting

O LORD, what are we that you should care for us?* mere mortals that you should think of us? We are like a puff of wind;* our days are passing like a shadow.
Psalm 144:3–4

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

Protect my life and deliver me;* let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,* for my hope is in you.
Psalm 25:19–20

A Reading

I know, YAHWEH, no one’s course is in his control, nor is it in anyone’s power, as he goes his way, to guide his own steps. Correct me, YAHWEH, but in moderation, not in your anger or you will reduce me to nothing.
Jeremiah 10:23–24

The Refrain

Protect my life and deliver me;* let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,* for my hope is in you.

The Midday Psalm

The Upright Will See This and Rejoice

The LORD changed rivers into deserts,* and water-springs into thirsty ground. Afruitful land into salt flats,* because of the wickedness of those who dwell there. He changed deserts into pools of water* and dry land into water-springs. He settled the hungry there,* and they founded a city to dwell in. They sowed fields, and planted vineyards,* and brought in a fruitful harvest. He blessed them, so that they increased greatly;* he did not let their herds decrease. Yet when they were diminished and brought low,* through stress of adversity and sorrow, (He pours out contempt on princes* and makes them travel in trackless wastes) He lifted up the poor out of misery* and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep. The upright will see this and rejoice,* but all wickedness will shut its mouth. Whoever is wise will ponder these things,* and consider well the mercies of the LORD.
Psalm 107:33–43

The Refrain

Protect my life and deliver me;* let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,* for my hope is in you.

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

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

Lord, make me have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; 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

Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS, VOL. III