Compline
The form of Compline we use at St. Chrysostom Anglican Church is an adaptation of the ancient monastic office of Compline, the seventh and last of the daily offices. The appropriate time for Compline was not fixed and was said before bedtime, customarily between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. depending upon north latitude. This version has been harmonized with the language style of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, based upon the text on the commonprayer.org web site, with a few changes.
For most of the office, the male voices join with the Minister (except where noted) and the female voices say the responses. At several points all voices join together. In our printed version (not shown below) we suggest making the sign of the Cross at the Name of Jesus Christ or the Holy Trinity and following all uses of "Lord, have mercy."
The Evening Hymn is sung in two verses to the familiar tune Faith of Our Fathers (St. Catherine). The Confession is a strongly personal one, unlike any of the forms in the Book of Common Prayer. It stresses that sin is a personal choice for which the individual is responsible.
The office of Compline should always be said, chanted or sung with enthusiasm, pausing for all punctuation: briefly for commas, a little longer for semi-colons, and a full stop for a period.
The office of Compline can be said, chanted or sung at home, since it is a collective effort. Even the closing blessing is not a priestly, personal blessing but a collective one.
Since it is a collective prayer, intended to be said with other faithful Christians, we cordially invite you finish your day with us any Tuesday evening at 7:45 P.M. for this inspiring and beautiful liturgy.
Fr. Ron Shibley, Vicar
Glory be to God for all things!
The Opening Prayer
Minister: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
People: Amen.
Minister: The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
People: Amen.
The First Chapter. 1 Peter 5:8, 9.
Minister: Brethren, be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith.
The First Versicles & Responses (begin responsive reading)
Minister: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Thanks be to God.
Minister: Our help standeth in the name of the Lord.
People: Who hath made heaven and earth.
A General Confession.
Minister: Let us pray.
(Minister & People, all saying together): I confess to God the Father Almighty, to His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and to God the Holy Ghost, and before the whole company of heaven, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my own fault, through my own most grievous fault. Wherefore I beseech God the Father Almighty, His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and God the Holy Ghost, to pity me, and to have mercy upon me. The Almighty and merciful God grant to us pardon, absolution, and remission of all our sins.
The Second Versicles & Responses.
Minister: Turn thou us, O God our Saviour.
People: And let thine anger cease from us.
Minister: O God, make speed to save us.
People: O Lord, make haste to help us.
The First Antiphon.
Minister & People: I will lay me down in peace.
The Psalm Readings.
Psalm 4.
HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness: * thou has set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour, * and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after falsehood?
3. Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; * when I call upon the Lord he will hear me.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not; * commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, * and put your trust in the Lord.
6. There be many that say, * Who will show us any good?
7. Lord lift thou up * the light of thy countenance upon us.
8. Thou hast put gladness in my heart; * yea, more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.
9. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; * for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 31:1-6.
IN thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion; * deliver me in thy righteousness.
2. Bow down thine ear to me; * make haste to deliver me.
3. And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence, * that thou mayest save me.
4. For thou art my strong rock, and my castle: * be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy Name’s sake.
5. Draw me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; * for thou art my strength.
6. Into thy hands I commend my spirit; * for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
Psalm 91.
WHOSO dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, * shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold; * my God, in him will I trust.
3. For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter, * and from the noisome pestilence.
4. He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers; * his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5. Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night, * nor the arrow that flieth by day;
6. For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, * nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day.
7. A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand; * but it shall not come nigh thee.
8. Yes, with thine eyes shalt thou behold, * and see the reward of the ungodly.
9. For thou, Lord, art my hope; * thou hast set thine house of defence very high.
10. There shall no evil happen unto thee, * neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, * to keep thee in all thy ways.
12. They shall bear thee in their hands, * that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.
13. Thou shalt go upon the lion and the adder: * the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet.
14. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; * I will set him up, because he hath known my Name.
15. He shall call upon me, and I will hear him; * yea, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and bring him to honour.
16. With long life will I satisfy him, * and show him my salvation.
Psalm 134.
BEHOLD now, praise the Lord, * all ye servants of the Lord;
2. Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord, * even in the courts of the house of our God.
3. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, * and praise the Lord.
4. The Lord that made heaven and earth * give thee blessing out of Sion.
The Second Antiphon.
Minister & People: I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest, for it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety.
The Evening Hymn: To Thee Before the Close of Day (Latin hymn, anonymous, 7th Century. Tr. John Mason Neale, 1852. Tune: St. Catherine). All Singing Together
To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray,
That, with thy wonted favour, thou
Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night,
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
The Second Chapter. Jeremiah 4:6
Minister only: Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy Name. Leave us not, O Lord our God.
The Third Versicles & Responses.
Minister: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Thanks be to God.
Minister: Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
People: For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
Minister: Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of an eye.
People: Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings.
The Nunc dimittis. Luke 2:29 (responsive)
Minister: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
People: According to thy word,
Minister: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation
People: Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people
Minister: To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
People: And to be the glory of thy people Israel.
The Third Antiphon.
Minister and People: Save us O Lord, watching, guard us sleeping, that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace.
The Kyrie Eleison. (responsive)
Minister: Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Christ, have mercy upon us.
Minister: Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Lord’s Prayer.
Minister: Let us pray.
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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Fourth Versicles & Responses.
Minister: Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
People: And greatly to be praised and glorified for ever.
Minister: Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
People: Let us praise and exalt Him for ever.
Minister: Blessed be Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
People: And greatly to be praised and glorified, and highly exalted forever.
Minister: The Almighty and merciful Lord bless and protect us.
People; And defend us from all perils and dangers of this night.
Minister: Vouchsafe, O Lord.
People: To keep us this night without sin.
Minister: O Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Have mercy upon us.
Minister: O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us.
People: As our trust is in Thee.
Minister: Lord, hear our prayer.
People: And let our cry come unto thee.
The Closing Prayer.
Minister only: Let us pray.
Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our habitations, and drive far from them all the snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels abide in them to preserve us in peace, and let Thy blessing be ever upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Final Versicles & Responses.
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Minister: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Blessing.
Minister only: May the Lord Almighty and merciful, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, vouchsafe to bless us and keep us.
People: Amen.
Minister only: Here endeth the Order for Compline.
top