Three Psalms for Anglicans

Pray for corporate reunion - now, on the eve of this hoped-for day, prayers are needed more than ever. It will not have escaped Satan's notice that his enemy, the Pope, is busy about the work of Christ - so the enemy of mankind will be redoubling his efforts to sow doubt and mistrust and fear, as once so successfully he deceived our First Parents.

I suggest the three following Psalms are highly suitable to pray for and with such Anglicans as are now choosing to prepare themselves to come as a body into the Holy Catholic Church. These Psalms I have carefully selected from the Fifteen Gradual Psalms, or Songs of Ascents, which once pilgrims sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem to worship the Lord in His Temple, which Christians have ever adopted as speaking of our spiritual ascent unto God, coming nigh unto Him, on earth, by finding Him in His Church: Suscepimus, Deus, misericordia tua in medio templi tui - "We have received, O God, Thy mercy in the midst of Thy Temple".

Ant. THOU art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

PSALM 122. Laetatus sum.

I WAS glad when they said unto me, * We will go into the house of the Lord.

2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates, * O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity in itself.

4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, * to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.

5 For there is the seat of judgment, * even the seat of the house of David.

6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; * they shall prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls, * and plenteousness within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, * I will wish thee prosperity.

9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, * I will seek to do thee good.

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.

PSALM 126. In convertendo.

WHEN the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion, then were we like unto them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, * and our tongue with joy.

3 Then said they among the heathen, * The Lord hath done great things for them.

4 Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us already; * whereof we rejoice.

5 Turn our captivity, O Lord, * as the rivers in the south.

6 They that sow in tears * shall reap in joy.

7 He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed, * shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.

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.

PSALM 133. Ecce, quam bonum!

BEHOLD, how good and joyful a thing it is, * for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down unto the beard, * even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.

3 Like as the dew of Hermon, * which fell upon the hill of Sion.

4 For there the Lord promised his blessing, * and life for evermore.

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.

Ant. THOU art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (S. Matt. xvi, 18a)

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Are not these eminently suitable to pray for those who now come on a journey of hope mingled with fear, fear of the unknown? But this journey leads to the Temple of the Living God, the True Church: "They will go from strength to strength: and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion." (Ps 84(85):7, Prayer Book Version.)

And this journey is associated inescapably with love for and respect for the office of Peter, Christ's appointed Vicar until He come again to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. No one can or should come to Rome, unless he can say in heartfelt devotion, "Thou art Peter" - upon thee, Christ hath built His Church, and the gates of hell never shall prevail against it; for where all others have failed, Rome alone shall stand. Hence the antiphon suggested.

To this, as is meet, a plea for mercy, and the Lord's Prayer are appended; and such Collects as may seem apposite can be attached.