Vespers for the Dead (Placebo)

The Psalter

I will walk in the presence of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 116 Dilexi, quoniam

1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.2 The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; *I came to grief and sorrow.3 Then I called upon the Name of the LORD: *"O LORD, I pray you, save my life."4 Gracious is the LORD and righteous; *our God is full of compassion.5 The LORD watches over the innocent; *I was brought very low, and he helped me.6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul. *for the LORD has treated you well.7 For you have rescued my life from death, *my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.8 I will walk in the presence of the LORD *in the land of the living.9 I believed, even when I said, "I have been brought very low." *In my distress I said, "No one can be trusted."10 How shall I repay the LORD *for all the good things he has done for me?11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *and call upon the Name of the LORD.12 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *in the presence of all his people.13 Precious in the sight of the LORD *is the death of his servants.14 O LORD, I am your servant; *I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *and call upon the Name of the LORD.16 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *in the presence of all his people,17 In the courts of the LORD'S house, *in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

I will walk in the presence of the LORD in the land of the living.

How hateful it is that my sojourning is prolonged.

Psalm 120 Ad Dominum

1 When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *I called to the LORD, and he answered me.2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *and from the deceitful tongue.3 What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *O you deceitful tongue?4 The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *along with hot glowing coals.5 How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *and dwell among the tents of Kedar!6 Too long have I had to live *among the enemies of peace.7 I am on the side of peace, *but when I speak of it, they are for war.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

How hateful it is that my sojourning is prolonged.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe.

Psalm 121 Levavi oculos

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *from where is my help to come?2 My help comes from the LORD, *the maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot be moved *and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *shall neither slumber nor sleep;5 The LORD himself watches over you; *the LORD is your shade at your right hand,6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *nor the moon by night.7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *it is he who shall keep you safe.8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *from this time forth for evermore.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe.

If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, O LORD, who could stand?

Psalm 130 De profundis

1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice; *let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *O LORD, who could stand?3 For there is forgiveness with you; *therefore you shall be feared.4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *in his word is my hope.5 My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning, *more than watchmen for the morning.6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *for with the LORD there is mercy;7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, O LORD, who could stand?

O LORD, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138 Confitebor tibi

1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *before the gods I will sing your praise.2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name, *because of your love and faithfulness;3 For you have glorified your Name *and your word above all things.4 When I called, you answered me; *you increased my strength within me.5 All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *when they have heard the words of your mouth.6 They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *that great is the glory of the LORD.7 Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *he perceives the haughty from afar.8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand shall save me.9 The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *O LORD, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

O LORD, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

V. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me.

R. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

All * whom the Father has given me shall come to me: and he who comes to me, I will in no way cast out.

The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

All * whom the Father has given me shall come to me: and he who comes to me, I will in no way cast out.

The Prayers

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, 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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

V: Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul!

R. I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

V: Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth,

R. for there is no help in them.

V: When they breathe their last, they return to earth,

R. and in that day their thoughts perish.

V: Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!

R. whose hope is in the LORD their God;

V: Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;

R. who keeps his promise for ever;

V: Who gives justice to those who are oppressed,

R. and food to those who hunger.

V: The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind;

R. the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;

V: The LORD loves the righteous; the LORD cares for the stranger;

R. he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.

V: The LORD shall reign for ever,

R. your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!

V:Rest eternal grant to them, O LordR: And let light perpetual shine upon them.

Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.