O Light Serene of God the Father's Glory

Evening Star, at Hour of Sunset

O Light Serene of God the Father's Glory is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office (1974) it is used for Sunday Evening Prayer I (Week 1) and for Sunday Evening Prayer I (Week 3). The Divine Office does not recommend any tune for this hymn, which is written in the rarely used meter of 11.6.11.4. Likewise, I too have not been unable to locate any tune that I could suggest as an alternative.

In the Beginning God Created Heaven

His Spirit Moved Across the Sombre Waters

In the Beginning God Created Heaven is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office (1974), In the Beginning God Created Heaven is used as an alternative hymn for Sunday (Week 1) Evening Prayer II. It is written using the rarely used hymn metre of 11.6.11.6.. The Divine Office does not recommend a specific tune for this hymn; likewise, I have not been able to locate any alternative musical setting that I can suggest.

Blessed Be the Lord Our God

With Joy, Let Heaven Ring

Blessed Be the Lord Our God was written by the Scottish Jesuit Priest, Fr. James Quinn (1919-2010). In the Divine Office (1974) it is sung with Sunday Evening Prayer I (Week 2). It is set to the tune: Corona, as featured the following video. An alternative tune that can also be used is the more well known: Diademata.


Tune: Corona


Alternative Tune: Diademata

Liturgical Guide: Evening Prayer (Vespers)

"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," - Matthew 14:23

The hymns selected for Evening Prayer (Vespers) in Divine Office reflect the principal theme of thanksgiving. Chapter 2:39 of the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours says of this of Evening Prayer: "When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice.' "

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
32. Now We Thank We All Our God
33. O Christ, You Are the Light and Day
34. Lord Jesus Christ, Abide With Us
35. The Setting Sun
36. O Father, Whose Creating Hand
37. For the Fruits of His Creation
38. When in His Own Image
39. At the Name of Jesus
40. Love Divine All Loves Excelling
41. Now Fades All Earthly Splendor
42. Day is Done
43. O Worship the King
44. Romans VIII (For Those Who Love God)
45. Let All Things Now Living
46. Father, We Thank Thee
47. We Plough the Fields and Scatter

182. O God, Our Help in Ages Past

184. O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Before We End Our Day, O Lord
Blest are the Pure in Heart
Blessed Be the Lord Our God
Christ be Near at Either Hand
Come, Praise the Lord the Almighty
Day is Done
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
In the Beginning God Created Heaven
O Light Serene of God the Father's Glory
O Strength and Stay, Upholding All Creation
O Trinity of Blessed Light
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
Praise to the Holiest
We Praise You, Father, for Your Gift
When God Filled the Earth with Life
When God Made Man, He Gave Him All the Earth

ROMAN BREVIARY
Caeli Deus Sanctissime
Hominis Superne Conditor
Immense Caeli Conditor
Lucis Creator Optime
Magnae Deus Potentiae
Plasmator Hominis Deus

Before We End Our Day, O Lord / Te Lucis Ante Terminum

Give Us This Night, Untroubled Rest

Before We End Our Day, O Lord is a translation of the Latin hymn, Te Lucis Ante Terminum. Dating back to the 7th century, this Ambrosian hymn has long been associated with the hour of Compline in various forms of the Office including the Roman Breviary. This translation is set to the tune: St. Bernard, an arrangement by John Ri­chard­son (1816-1879) of a chorale from the Toch­ter Si­on of 1741. In the Divine Office, Before We End Our Day, O Lord is used for Evening Prayer.


Tune: St. Bernard (Ri­chard­son)

TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM

1. Te lucis ante terminum,
rerum Creator, poscimus
ut pro tua clementi a
sis praesul et custodia.

2. Procul recedant somnia
et noctium phantasmata;
hostemque nostrum comprime,
ne polluantur corpora.

3. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito

regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


Ambrosian Chant

O Trinity of Blessed Light / O Lux Beata Trinitas

As Now the Fiery Sun Departs, Shed Thou Thy Beams Within Our Hearts

O Trinity of Blessed Light is a translation of the 4th century Latin hymn: O Lux Be­a­ta Trin­i­tas, attributed to St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397). It was revised under Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644) as Iam Sol Recedit Igneous, which is used in the Roman Breviary for Saturday Vespers and on Trinity Sunday. In 1851 the original text by Ambrose was translated into English by John Mason Neale (1818-1866) as O Trinity of Blessed Light. It is set to Tallis' Canon by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585). In the Divine Office it is sung at Evening Prayer.


Tune: Tallis' Canon

O TRINITY OF BLESSÈD LIGHT by John Mason Neale, 1851 (Public Domain)

1. O Trinity of blessed light,
O Unity of princely might,
the fiery sun now goes his way;
shed thou within our hearts thy ray.

2. To thee our morning song of praise,
to thee our evening prayer we raise;
O grant us with thy saints on high
to praise thee through eternity.

3. All laud to God the Father be;
all praise, eternal Son, to thee;
all glory, as is ever meet,
to God the holy Paraclete.
 

O Lux Beata Trinitas (Chant) - Verses 1, 2, 1

O LUX BEATA TRINITAS by St. Ambrose

1. O lux beata Trinitas,
et principalis Unitas,
iam sol recedit igneus,
infunde lumen cordibus.

2. Te mane laudum carmine,
te deprecemur vespere:
te nostra supplex gloria
per cuncta laudet saecula.

3. Deo Patri sit gloria,
eiusque soli Filio,
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
et nunc, et in perpetuum.
             OR
Christum rogamus et Patrem
Christi Patrisque Spiritum
unum potens per omnia
fove precantes Trinitas.

O Lux Beata Trinitas (Hymn) - Verses 1, 2, 3

When God Made Man, He Gave Him All the Earth

Creation with Tremendous Voice Cries Out

When God Made Man, He Gave Him All the Earth is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It is set to the 1919 tune: Woodlands by the English composer, musician and educator; Walter Greatorex (1877-1949). In the Divine Office, When God Made Man, He Gave Him All the Earth is used with Evening Prayer.


Tune: Woodlands

When God Filled the Earth with Life

By Whom Creation Lives and Moves, in Whom it Comes to Rest

When God Filled the Earth with Life is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It is set to the tune: St. Bernard, an arrangement by John Ri­chard­son (1816-1879) of a chorale from the Toch­ter Si­on of 1741. In the Divine Office, When God Filled the Earth with Life is sung at Evening Prayer.


Tune: St. Bernard (Ri­chard­son)

Christ be Near at Either Hand

Christ Behind, Before Me Stand

Christ be Near at Either Hand is an adaption of a segment of the Lorica of St. Patrick. It was written by the Irish Catholic Priest, Fr. John Fennelly (1890–1966). Besides his work as a pastor, he was also a poet, expert on Plain Chant, and later in life was made a Canon of the Church. Christ be Near at Either Hand is set to the Irish folk tune, Greystones. In the Divine Office it is sung at Evening Prayer. It was also sung during the Offertory of the open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on the 2010 Papal Visit to the UK.


Tune: Greystones

O Strength and Stay / Rerum, Deus, Tenax Vigor

Grant to Life's Day a Calm Unclouded Ending

O Strength and Stay, Upholding All Creation is a translation of the 4th century Latin hymn: Rerum Deus Tenax Vigour, composed in the Ambrosian tradition, but not likely by St. Ambrose (c.340-397) himself. In the Breviarium Romanum it is used throughout the year as the hymn for None (Mid-Afternoon). In 1871, the ancient text was translated into English by John Ellerton (1826-1893) and Fenton J. A. Hort (1828-1892). In 1875, John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) composed the tune: Strength and Stay specifically for their words. In the Divine Office, O Strength and Stay is sung during Evening Prayer. For an alternative translation, see: O God, Creation's Secret Force.


Tune: Strength and Stay

O STRENGTH AND STAY by Ellerton/Hort, 1871 (Public Domain)

1. O Strength and Stay upholding all creation,
who ever dost thyself unmoved abide;
yet day by day the light in due gradation
from hour to hour through all its changes guide.

2. Grant to life's day a calm unclouded ending,
An eve untouched by shadows of decay,
the brightness of a holy deathbed blending
With dawning glories of the eternal day.

3. Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,
through Jesus Christ thy co-eternal Word,
who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.


Ambrosian Chant

RERUM, DEUS, TENAX VIGOR

1. Rerum, Deus, tenax vigor,
immotus in te permanens,
lucis diurnae tempora
successibus determinans,

2. Largire clarum vespere,
quo vita numquam decida,
sed praemium mortis sacrae
perennis instet gloria.

3. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

Abide With Me

The Darkness Deepens, Lord With Me Abide

Abide With Me was written in 1847 by the Anglican Clergyman, Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847). The hymn was composed just weeks before his death. Suffering from tu­ber­cu­lo­sis, he completed the text the same morning that he gave his farewell sermon at the parish where he served. After leaving for Italy in a bid to regain his health, he died three weeks later in Nice, France. In 1861, Lyte's words were set to music by William H. Monk (1823-1889). While attending a meeting as music editor for the collection, Hymns: Ancient and Modern, he realized Lyte's lyric was to be included, but had no music. Sitting down at the piano, Monk's thoughts turned to the recent death of his 3-year-old daughter as (within 10 minutes) he composed the tune, Eventide. Since then, Abide With Me has become one of the most widely known and beloved of Christian hymns. A favourite of Mahatma Gandhi, it has been sung at everything from Royal Weddings, to English football matches, to the funeral of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In the Liturgy of the Hours it is sung or recited during Night Prayer.



ABIDE WITH ME by Henry Lyte, 1847 (Public Domain)

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples,
Lord, Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

4. Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

 5. Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

6. I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

7. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

8. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

We Plough the Fields and Scatter

All good gifts around us.

We Plough the Fields And Scatter is an translation by Jane M. Campbell from the original German poem Wir Pflügen und Wir Streuen,  first published in 1782 and written by Matthias Claudius (1740-1815). The English adaptation, first published in 1861, often appears in hymnals and is a favorite during harvest. It is set to the tune: Wir Pflügen, first published in 1800 it was written by Johann Schülz (1747-1800). In the Liturgy of the Hours, We Plow the Fields and Scatter is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.



WE PLOW THE FIELDS AND SCATTER by Jane Campbell, 1861 (Public Domain)

We plow the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land;
But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand:
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

Chorus:
All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord For all His love.

He only is the maker of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

We thank Thee, then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, and food;
And all that we can offer your boundless love imparts,
The gifts to you most pleasing are humble, thankful hearts.

Father, We Thank Thee

Watch Over Thy Church, O Lord, in Mercy.

Father We Thank Thee, first published in 1940 was written by the Reverend Francis Bland Tucker (1895–1984), an Episcopal priest and hymn writer from the United States. The text draws upon prayers found in Chapters 9 and 10 of the Didache (see below), a pastoral manual of the early Church dated to the late 1st or early 2nd century. It is set to the tune, Rendez à Dieu attributed to French composer Louis Bourgeois (c.1510–1560). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Father, We Thank Thee, Who Hast Planted is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer and on the Feast of Corpus Christi.



from the THE DIDACHE, translated 1885 (Public Domain)

Chapter 9

 1. Now as regards the Eucharist (the Thank-offering), give thanks after this manner:
 2. First for the cup: "We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever."
 3. And for the broken bread: "We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever.
 4. "As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and gathered together became one, so let Thy church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom, for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever."
 5. But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, except those baptized into the name of the Lord; for as regards this also the Lord has said: "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."

Chapter 10

 1. Now after being filled, give thanks after this manner:
 2. "We thank Thee, Holy Father, for Thy Holy Name, which Thou hast caused to dwell (tabernacle) in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant, to Thee be the glory for ever.
 3. "Thou, O, Almighty Sovereign, didst make all things for Thy Name's sake; Thou gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou didst freely give spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Thy Servant.
 4. "Before all things we give thanks to Thee that Thou art mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever.
 5. "Remember, O Lord, Thy Church to deliver her from all evil and to perfect her in Thy love; and gather her together from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou didst prepare for her; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever.
 6. "Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If any one is holy let him come, if any one is not holy let him repent. Maranatha. Amen."
 7. But permit the Prophets to give thanks as much as [in what words] they wish.

O Worship the King

All glorious above.

O Worship the King, first published in 1833 was written by onetime Member of British Parliament, and a Director of the East India Company; Sir Robert Grant (1779-1838). It is set to the tune, Hanover by English composer and organist William Croft (1678–1727). In the Liturgy of the Hours, O Worship the King All Glorious Above is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.



O WORSHIP THE KING by Robert Grant, 1833 (Public Domain)

1. O worship the king, All glorious above;
Oh gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the ancient of days,
Pavilioned in splendour, And girded with praise.

2. O, tell of his might Oh, sing of His grace;
Whose robe is the light, Whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath form The deep thunderclouds
And dark is his path On the wings of the storm.

3. This earth with its store Of wonders untold,
Almighty! Thy power hath founded of old;
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea

4. Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, It shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, It descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

5. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer and friend.

6. O measureless might, ineffable Love,
While angels delight to hymn thee above,
The humbler creation, Though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to thy praise.

Day is Done

Shadows fall, but hope prevailing.

Day is Done, first published in 1969 was written Father James Quinn S.J. (1919-2010). During his life, Fr. Quinn was particularily involved in ecumenical matters. Two of his most noted works, Day is Done and This Day God Gives Me have become equally popular among Catholics and Protestants alike. Like This Day God Gives Me, Day is Done is set to a well known and easily sung folk melody, in this case the Welsh tune, Ar Hyd Y Nos. In the Liturgy of the Hours Day is Done, But Love Unfailing is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.

Now Fades All Earthly Splendor

The shades of night descend

Now Fades All Earthly Splendor, first published in 1969 was written by Scottish Jesuit Priest, theologian, and hymnwriter James Quinn (1919-2010). It is set to the tune, Ewing (1861) by Alexander Ewing (1830 -1895). The tune is more commonly recognized as the setting for Jerusalem the Golden, which is a translation from the original Latin of a small portion of the 3000 line poem, De Contemptu Mundi by the 12th century monk Bernard of Cluny. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Now Fades All Earthly Splendor is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.


Tune: Ewing

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Joy of Heaven, to Earth Come Down.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, first published in 1747 was written by Methodist, Charles Wesley (1707-1788). Of the some 6500 hymns he wrote, this remains one of the most popular and is generally considered one of his finest works. While often sung to the tune, Beecher, the version found in the Breviary is set to Hyfrodol, written in 1830 by the Welsh musician, Rowland H. Prichard (1811-1887). Another popular setting is to the tune, Blaenwern (as shown in the 2nd video). In the Liturgy of the Hours Love Divine, All Loves Excelling is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer and also on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.


Tune: Hyfrodol

LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING by Charles Wesley, 1747 (Public Domain)

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Tune: Blaenwern

At the Name of Jesus

Every Knee Shall Bow

At the Name of Jesus was written in 1870 by Caroline Maria Noel (1817 - 1877). The daughter of an Anglican clergyman, she wrote the hymn for use as a Processional for Ascension Day. It is based upon St. Paul's confession of faith in Philippians 2 - "God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow." (Douay-Rheims). Ralph Vaughan Williams' 1925 tune, King's Weston was written specifically for this text. In the Liturgy of the Hours At the Name of Jesus is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.



AT THE NAME OF JESUS, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW by Caroline Noel, 1870 (Public Domain)

1. At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
 Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

2. Mighty and mysterious in the highest height,
God from everlasting, very light of light:
In the Father’s bosom with the spirit blest,
Love, in love eternal, rest, in perfect rest.

3. At His voice creation sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders, in their great array.

4. Humbled for a season, to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom He came,
Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

5. Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

6. Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love strong as death
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath!
He is God the Savior, He is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.

7. In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

8. Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

When in His Own Image

Let us turn to Jesus.

When in His Own Image was written in 1972 by Congregationalist, Fred Kaan (1929-2009). It is set to the tune, King's Weston written by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1926. It was named after Kings Weston House near Bristol, England where in 1920 he completed his famous orchestral score of The Lark Ascending. In the Liturgy of the Hours When in His Own Image, God Created Man is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.


Tune: Kings Weston

For the Fruits of His Creation

Thanks Be To God.

For the Fruits of His Creation was written in 1970 by English Methodist minister and hymn writer, Fred Pratt Green. Over the years it has become a popular song during times of harvest or Thanksgiving. Green wrote the text specifically for the tune of East Acklam, and in particular for the final short phrase at the end of each stanza to be reinforced by the distinct melody of this beautiful hymn, written in 1957 by British composer and organist Francis Jackson. In the Liturgy of the Hours For the Fruits of His Creation is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer.