Lutheran Vespers
Evening Prayer
Prayed as preserved in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) with its historic canticles and prayers for the close of day.
Enter with silence, trace the holy sign of the cross, and let the light of evening draw you to Christ's peace.
Sign of the Holy Cross
Opening Versicles
The Psalmody
One or more Psalms are said or chanted, each concluding with the Gloria Patri.
The Lection
A responsory or hymn may follow. Continue with the evening canticle.
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55)
1. My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Savior.
2. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
3. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name.
4. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
5. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
6. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
7. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
8. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Or: The Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29–32)
1. Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word:
2. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
3. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Kyrie
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Salutation & Collect for Peace
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed, give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and also that we, being defended by Thee from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Benedicamus & Benediction
Silent Prayer