COLLECTS

O GOD, (Lu.) Thyself the sweetest song of our harmony, Who biddest us utter the notes of our heart, at one time with breathings, at another with weepings, grant that as we sing them together with spiritual devotion, we may be numbered in everlasting choirs, and praise Thee with all Saints. (1.)

O GOD,* Who art the object of praise from the zeal of the Angels, and takest pleasure also in the worship of men, not as needing us for aught, but to find room in us for displaying Thy goodness, Who wiliest that the habit of Thy praise should be the fruit of praising; hearken to our prayers, and grant that the clear confession of our faith may be Thy trumpet; our lips, and the well-attuned service of our inward and outward being, Thy cymbals; our souls, Thine harps; and all together sweetly sing in clear strains the praise of Thy mercy. (11.)

What praise,* O LORD, can Thy creature offer unto Thee? Profitest Thou aught by human praise, and needest Thou and lovest the praises of them of the earth, Who, all praise-worthy, art laudably praised in Thy Saints, and celebrated with such acclamation? But Thou art pleased to receive even a part of praise, because Thou art alone pleased to give full praising as the reward of our praising. Grant therefore, O LORD, that there may be somewhat in us worthy of worthily praising Thee. Let the powers of the heavenly host unceasingly laud Thee, and the mightiness of thanksgiving pour in celebrating Thy mightiness. Let the herald voices of the Prophets praise Thee gladly with the trumpets, and let sweetness itself bring forth the strains of psaltery and harp. Let perfect holiness sound to Thee on the tabrets, and the holy organs of the Virgins surround Thee on the throne. Let the hearts of all sound sweetly to Thee in constant meditation, and sound aloud with pleasant clang on spiritual instruments; that every creature sounding to Thee on the cymbals with the faith of the lips, may cry with unceasing energy, and every spirit address Thee with Thy due praise, that the whole ransomed creation may exult with Thee in perfect blessedness. (11.)