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44  A Song of Wisdom
 
     
    Refrain:
All
  Send Wisdom forth from your holy heavens;
    from the throne of your glory
    send what is pleasing to you.
     
1
  O God of our ancestors and Lord of mercy,  
    you have made all things by your word.
     
2
  By your wisdom you have formed us  
    to have dominion over the creatures you have made;
     
3
  To rule the world in holiness and righteousness  
    and to pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul.
     
4
  Give us the Wisdom that sits by your throne;  
    do not reject us from among your servants,
     
5
  For we are your servants,  
    with little understanding of judgement and laws.
     
6
  Even one who is perfect among us  
    will be regarded as nothing
                without the wisdom that comes from you.
     
7
  With you is Wisdom, she who knows your works,  
    and was present when you made the world.
     
8
  She understands what is pleasing in your sight  
    and what is right according to your commandments.
     
9
  Send her forth from the holy heavens,  
    from the throne of your glory send her.
     
10
  That she may labour at our side  
    and that we may learn what is pleasing to you.
     
11
  For she knows and understands all things,  
    she will guide us wisely in our actions
                and guard us with her glory.
   
Wisdom 9.1-5a,5c-6,9-11
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever. Amen.
     
   
   
45  A Song of Pilgrimage
 
     
    Refrain:
All
  In prayer I inclined my ear
    and my heart was stirred to seek Wisdom.
     
1
  While I was still young,  
    I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer.
     
2
  Before the temple I asked for her,  
    and I will search for her until the end.
     
3
  From the first blossom to the ripening grape,  
    my heart delighted in her.
     
4
  My foot walked on the straight path,  
    from my youth I followed her steps.
     
5
  I inclined my ear a little and received her,  
    I found for myself much instruction.
     
6
  I made progress in Wisdom;  
    to the One who sent her,
    I will give glory.
     
7
  I directed my soul to Wisdom,  
    and in purity have I found her.
     
8
  With her, I gained understanding from the first,  
    therefore will I never be forsaken.
     
9
  My heart was stirred to seek her,  
    with my tongue will I sing God's praise.
   
Ecclesiasticus 51.13a,13c-17,20-21a,22b
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever. Amen.
     
   
   
46  A Song of Baruch
 
     
    Refrain:
All
  Lead us, O God, with joy
    to walk in the light of glory.
     
1
  Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height:  
    look to the east and see your children,
     
2
  Gathered from the west and the east  
    at the word of the Holy One.
     
3
  They rejoice that God has remembered them  
    and has brought them back to you.
     
4
  For God has ordered that every high mountain  
    and the everlasting hills be made low,
     
5
  And the valleys filled up to make level ground  
    so that they may walk safely in the glory of God.
     
6
  The woods and every fragrant tree  
    have shaded them at God's command.
     
7
  For God will lead his people with joy
                in the light of his glory  
    with the mercy and righteousness that comes from God.
   
Baruch 5.5,6c,7-9
    Glory to the Father and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever. Amen.
     
   
   
47  Bless the Lord
 
     
1
  Blessed are you, the God of our ancestors,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
2
  Blessed is your holy and glorious name,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
3
  Blessed are you, in your holy and glorious temple,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
4
  Blessed are you who look into the depths,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
5
  Blessed are you, enthroned on the cherubim,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
6
  Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
7
  Blessed are you in the heights of heaven,  
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
   
Song of the Three 29-34
    Bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
    worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
     
   
   
48a  Benedicite - a Song of Creation
 
     
1
  Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
2
  Bless the Lord you heavens:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
3
  Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:  
    bless the Lord all you his hosts;
     
    bless the Lord you waters above the heavens:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
4
  Bless the Lord sun and moon:  
    bless the Lord you stars of heaven;
     
    bless the Lord all rain and dew:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
5
  Bless the Lord all winds that blow:  
    bless the Lord you fire and heat;
     
    bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
6
  Bless the Lord dews and falling snows:  
    bless the Lord you nights and days;
     
    bless the Lord light and darkness:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
7
  Bless the Lord frost and cold:  
    bless the Lord you ice and snow;
     
    bless the Lord lightnings and clouds:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
8
  O let the earth bless the Lord:  
    bless the Lord you mountains and hills;
     
    bless the Lord all that grows in the ground:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
9
  Bless the Lord you springs:  
    bless the Lord you seas and rivers;
     
    bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
10
  Bless the Lord all birds of the air:  
    bless the Lord you beasts and cattle;
     
    bless the Lord all people on earth:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
11
  O people of God bless the Lord:  
    bless the Lord you priests of the Lord;
     
    bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
12
  Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:  
    bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart;
     
    bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
   
The Song of the Three 35-65
     
   
   
48b  Benedicite - a Song of Creation (shorter version)
 
     
1
  Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
2
  Bless the Lord you heavens:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
3
  Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
4
  Bless the Lord all people on earth:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
5
  O people of God bless the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
6
  Bless the Lord you priests of the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
7
  Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
8
  Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:  
    bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart;
     
    bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:  
    sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
     
   
   
49  The Song of Manasseh
 
     
    Refrain:
All
  Full of compassion and mercy and love
    is God, the Most High, the Almighty.
     
1
  Lord almighty and God of our forebears,  
    you who made heaven and earth in all their glory:
     
2
  All things tremble with awe at your presence,  
    before your great and mighty power.
     
3
  Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy,  
    for you are God, Most High.
     
4
  You are full of compassion, long-suffering and very merciful,  
    and you relent at human suffering.
     
5
  O God, according to your great goodness,  
    you have promised forgiveness for repentance
    to those who have sinned against you.
     
6
  The sins I have committed against you  
    are more in number than the sands of the sea.
     
7
  I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven,  
    because of the multitude of my iniquities.
     
8
  And now I bend the knee of my heart before you,  
    imploring your kindness upon me.
     
9
  I have sinned, O God, I have sinned,  
    and I acknowledge my transgressions.
     
10
  Unworthy as I am, you will save me,  
    according to your great mercy.
     
11
  For all the host of heaven sings your praise,  
    and your glory is for ever and ever.
   
Manasseh 1a,2,4,6,7a,9a,9c,11,12,14b,15b
    Glory to the Father, and to the Son
    and to the Holy Spirit;
    as it was in the beginning is now
    and shall be for ever. Amen.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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