COLLECTS

O GOD, (Lu.) Almighty Looser of our captivity, grant that we may sing Thy praise with spiritual harmony, so that the lifting-up of Thy right hand may restore to heavenly citizenship those whom the load of sin exiles from Thee. (1.)

Remember,* O LORD, Thy pilgrim Church, and while we sit weeping by the waters of Babylon, let us not be carried away by the flood of this passing world, but, delivered from the contagion of this present life, let our longing be directed towards Jerusalem above. (11.)

O LORD our Redeemer,* do away our captivity into which our adversary has led us, who sinfully consented unto him, and that we who humbly sit weeping by the waters of confusion may arise through Thy delivering us from temptations, let not the flow of pleasure carry us headlong, but let the lowliness of our weeping lead us to heaven. (11.)

O LORD, of Thy pity as a merciful FATHER, (D. C.) receive us returning from Babylon, that is, from confusion of sins, and of Thine inspiration make us by full confession dash our misdoings against CHRIST the Rock, that we may sing a song of rejoicing with Thee in melody befitting the heavenly Sion. (1.)