For with thee is the fountain of life...

Date: 08 May 2006 12:10:12

For with thee is the fountain of life; and in thy light we shall see light.
Extend thy mercy to them that know thee,

Psalm 35 (36): 10-11a (Douay-Rheims)

Thanks be to God, the praying of the hours -- well, Lauds and Vespers at least! -- with my Monastic Diurnal is going well. If I find myself with more time, generally if a train is delayed ;-), I'm trying one of the other, smaller, offices as well.

Reading these verses from the Psalms appointed for today at Lauds, I recalled the same words which we say towards the end of the Matins service in Orthodoxy. I knew Orthodox hymography and liturgy contained much from the Scriptures: through my reading of the Psalms I am getting to know just how much is direct Scriptural quotation or based on a Scriptural verse. Thanks be to God for such a liturgy full with Scripture; and thanks also for daily prayer rules such as the one I am using: I pray for my eyes to be open more and more, as well enabling me, by the grace of God, to draw deeper and deeper into a relationship with the ever-blessed Trinity so as to conform my will more and more to God's such that I may truly be a "[partaker] of the divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4).

Here are the verses and prayers that form part of the Great Doxology at Matins, after the Gloria: wonderful words with which to pray as Matins ends and the Divine Liturgy begins:

Every day I will bless you, and praise your name throughout all ages.

Grant, Lord, this day to keep us without sin.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified your name to the ages. Amen.

May your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our hope in you.

Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your precepts.
Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments.

Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said, Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

Lord, I have run to you for refuge: teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

For with you is the source of life: and in your light we shall see light.

Continue your mercy towards those who know you.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.