A Doxology

To the only God invisible,
the Father of truth,
who sent to us
the Savior and prince of immortality,
through whom also he revealed to us
the truth and the heavenly light.
To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Source: Third or fourth century papyrus

Source of this version: The New Archaeological Discoveries and their Bearing upon the New Testament by Camdem McCormick Cobern, Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1918, p. 277

 

Doxology from an Ancient Sermon

He is the Light; therefore is he the Sun of our souls.
He is the Life; therefore we live in him.
He is Holiness; therefore is he the slayer of sin.
He is Salvation ; therefore it is he who has purchased
the whole world with his blood.
He is the Resurrection; therefore it is he who has set free
those who are in the tomb,
and has made them new a second time by his blood.
He is the Way; therefore he is the guide to his Father.
He is the Door; therefore he is the guide into paradise.
He is the Shepherd; therefore he is the seeker after the sheep which is lost.
He is the Lamb; therefore he is the cleanser of the world from its impurity.
This is my God; I will ascribe glory to him,
for to him belong glory and power for all ages and ages. Amen.

Source: Sermon on a papyrus, possibly fourth century

Source of this version: The New Archaeological Discoveries and their Bearing upon the New Testament by Camdem McCormick Cobern, Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1918, p. 289

NEW! Psalm Prayers from Sarum

Psalm Prayers from Sarum by [Stratman, Paul]Many of the psalms are prayers. In the history of Christian worship, psalms have also been the inspiration for prayers. In many traditions, after a psalm is sung or read in the service of evening prayer, a short prayer based on the psalm follows. These psalm prayers are taken from the Sarum Psalter, the book used for the Liturgy of Hours in the community of Sarum (Salisbury), England. These ancient prayers reflect on each psalm, sometimes applying the truths of the psalm, sometimes repeating the petition in the psalm, sometimes reflecting on the meaning of the psalm for the individual. This book also includes other prayers and blessings from the Sarum Liturgy of Hours.

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Sarum Kyrie eleison. No. 9.

[Kyrie eleison. No. 9.]

Maker of the world, King eternal, have mercy on us.

Fount of boundless pity, have mercy on us.

Drive away from us all that is harmful, have mercy on us.

Christ, the Light of the world, giver of life, have mercy on us.

Look on those wounded by the craft of the devil; have mercy on us.

You preserve those who believe on you, and you strengthen them, have mercy on us.

Your Father, you, and the Spirit proceeding from both, have mercy on us.

We know you to be one God, and three persons, have mercy on us.

Be present with us, O Paraclete, that we may live in you, have mercy on us.

Source: The Sarum Missal in English, Part II, Alcuin Club Collections, No. XI

Sarum Kyrie eleison. No. 8.

[Kyrie eleison. No. 8.]

O Lord, maker of all creatures, have mercy on us.

Blot out our sins, and without ceasing have mercy on us.

Do not let humanity perish, which you have made, but in your pity, have mercy on us.

O Christ, only Son of the Father, born of a virgin, have mercy on us.

By your blood you saved a lost world from death, have mercy on us.

Hear the prayers of those who now call on you,  have mercy on us.

Kindly Spirit, fill us with your grace, have mercy on us.

You procede continually from the Father and the Son, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, three in unity, adored together,  have mercy on us.

Fre us from the bonds of our sins. Redeem us from death,  have mercy on us.

Let us all now proclaim and sing your praise, O God, have mercy on us.

Source: The Sarum Missal in English, Part II, Alcuin Club Collections, No. XI

Sarum Kyrie eleison. No. 7.

[Kyrie eleison. No. 7.]

Almighty King, God, creator of all things, have mercy on us.

Fountain and source of all good, light everlasting, have mercy on us.

O good ruler, let your loving-kindness save us, and have mercy on us.

O Christ, the brightness of God, the strength and wisdom of the Father, have mercy on us.

You made humanity in your image, and you restored us when we fell, have mercy on us.

Do not condemn the work of your hands, Jesus, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son, the bond of love, have mercy on us.

Kindling fire, proceeding from the Father and the Son, fountain of life, purifying force, have mercy on us.

Purger of sin, most excellent bestower of pardon,
blot out our offences, enlighten us with your holy gifts,
O gracious Spirit, have mercy on us.

Source: The Sarum Missal in English, Part II, Alcuin Club Collections, No. XI