The traditional Lenten hymns from the Monastic Breviary: Metrical English Translations

The traditional Lenten hymns from the Monastic Breviary: Metrical English Translations

Some might prefer the older Hymn pattern of hymns for Lent. One wonders if it is really necessary to have one set of hymns for Sundays and another set for ferial days. 

Vespers

O Merciful Creator, hear!

To us in pity bow Thine ear:

Accept the tearful prayer we raise

In this our fast of forty days.

Our hearts are open, Lord, to Thee:

Thou knowest our infirmity;

Pour out on all who seek Thy face

Abundance of Thy pard'ning grace.

Our sins are many, this we know;

Spare us, good Lord, Thy mercy show;

And for the honor of Thy name

Our fainting souls to life reclaim.

Give us self-control that springs

From discipline of outward things,

That fasting inward secretly

The soul may purely dwell with Thee.

We pray Thee, Holy Trinity,

One God, unchanging Unity,

That we from this our abstinence

May reap the fruits of penitence. Amen



Lauds

Now Christ, Thou Sun of righteousness,

let dawn our darkened spirits bless:

the light of grace to us restore

while day to earth returns once more.



Thou who dost give the accepted time,

give, too, a heart that mourns for crime,

let those by mercy now be cured

whom loving - kindness long endured.



Spare not, we pray, to send us here

some penance kindly but severe,

so let Thy gift of pardoning grace

our grievous sinfulness efface.



Soon will that day, Thy day, appear

and all things with its brightness cheer:

we will rejoice in it, as we

return thereby to grace, and Thee.



Let all the world from shore to shore

Thee, gracious Trinity, adore;

right soon Thy loving pardon grant,

that we our new-made song may chant.

Amen.



Office of Readings

1. The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more;
The fast to all men known, and bound
In forty days of yearly round.

2. The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold
Which Christ, all seasons’ king and guide,
In after ages sanctified.

3. More sparing therefore let us make
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep and mirth, and closer barred
Be every sense in holy guard.

7. Forgive the sin that we have wrought;
Increase the good that we have sought;
That we at length, our wanderings o’er,
May please Thee here and evermore.

8. We pray Thee, holy Trinity,
One God, unchanging Unity,
That we from this our abstinence
May reap the fruits of penitence.