Liturgy of the Hours

Week 4

Psalm 121 (122)

This is a song for pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem. This psalm ruminates on the wonders of Jerusalem. The journey also describes desire for peace. It is a gift of God. The psalm gives thanks to God. The pilgrims always traveled with gifts. Let us pray this psalm offering ourselves as a gift to God.

Psalm 129 (130)

This psalm contemplates on life crisis. The psalm describes the troubles as well as God’s deliverance. The psalm offers a model of faith in times of crisis and reminds us to offer thanks to God. Reverence to God is crucial in the life of a human being. Let us offer reverence to God by praying this psalm with reverence.

Canticle (Phil 2: 6-11)

It is an early Christian hymn. It shows how Jesus identified himself with human beings. He took the human form. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point to death — even death on a cross. Let us pray that we may obey even when it is not convenient to obey God’s will.

Psalm 117 (118)

This is a thanksgiving psalm. God answers to the crisis of the community. The psalm reechoes the memory of Exodus. Psalm revers the steadfast love of God. The encounter with God necessarily changes into praise and thanksgiving. Let us thank the Lord together.

Can. Dan 3: 52-57

This hymn of three young men in the fire shows unchangeable fidelity to God. This hymn is like a litany. It makes a universal appeal to praise God. It is a call to all to do the same. Let us pray that we may praise God in time of trials.

Psalm 150

This psalm is a hymn of praise. It consists of series of invitation to praise God. The reasons for praise is listed. Praising God must be done in a lovely way with the instruments. Everyone without exception is called to praise, Let us join to pray.

Psalm 109 (110)

This psalm reassures people of God’s protection and care. God brings honour to His beloved. Glory of God surpasses to that of His enemies. Let us pray for his protection for everyone.

Psalm 111 (112)

This is a psalm of wisdom. The psalm must be read as a teacher teaching his students. It offers lessons for life. The psalm invites everyone to a wise living of life. Let us pray for this grace.

Canticle 1 Pet 2: 21-24

This hymn reveals God’s will for those who are free in Christ. It asks us to willingly submit to every human authority for God’s sake. Peter asks to endure unjust suffering, as Jesus did for our sake on the cross. Christians are called to imitate Christ by suffering for doing good. Let us pray that we may imitate Jesus on the cross.

Psalm 89 (90)

This Psalm enumerates reaction of people in times of trouble. The crisis itself is turned into a prayer. God’s intervention and deliverance are requested. The psalm ends with hope in the steadfast love of God. Let us pray with the same hope.

Canticle Is 42:10-16

Creation is called to praise YHWH’s redemption. This is a common expression of psalms as well. The world changes when God is with us. Let us pray that the Lord may help us to do good.

Psalm 134 (135)

The psalm invites us to praise God. All Israel is summoned to praise God. God is powerful and sovereign. Israel publically utters what is known with certainty. The psalm invites everyone to take responsibility of one’s own action. Let us pray as a responsible child of God.

Psalm 135 (136) 1&2

This psalm includes historical recital. It calls all creation to thank God. The psalm presents God’s abiding covenant loyalty. Faithfulness of God in every circumstances needs to be reciprocated with a life of gratitude. Let us pray with a grateful heart.

Canticle Eph. 1: 3-10

The canticle proposes God as the sovereign actor in salvation. Election involves a choice. Temptation to skip what is one’s responsibility is real. And this canticle helps us to remain in fidelity to God.

Psalm 100 (101)

This is a royal psalm. People of God has a commitment to act in public. This requires a strong resolve to shun all distractions and tendency to destruction in one’s personal life. God’s faithfulness and generosity will help to establish a new community. Let us pray for this strong resolve.

Canticle Dan 3: 3, 4, 6, 11-18

God tests His people from time to time. Often the test might seem insignificant and minor oversights. However, at first sight the evil designs may not revealed. God’s grace is required to find out the evil designs as well. Let us pray for the spirit of proper discernment.

Psalm 143 (144)

This is a royal psalm. This psalm celebrates the works of God. It equally projects frailty of human power and vulnerability. The psalm reechoes a voice of glad success. Let us pray that God may triumph in spite of our frailty.

Psalm 136 (137)

This is a highly emotional psalm with intense grief. It is a psalm of community lament. It depicts the loss of Zion and laments over it. The psalm reminds how precious one’s memory of past events of God’s goodness. It ask us to trust God more than ever. With this trust let us pray.

Psalm 137 (138)

This is a psalm of thanksgiving. The psalm shows how prayer of person is heard by God. The psalm shows thanksgiving and petition are integral part of prayer. The steadfast love of God is remembered. Let us pray with the same confidence of the psalmist

Canticle Rev. 4: 11; 5: 9, 10, 12

God is the only one who worthy to receive glory. God created everything and He requires the acknowledgement, praise and thanks and no one else. Let us pray that we learn to give praise to the Lord.

Psalm 107 (108)

The psalm begins with praise and thanksgiving. This is given in anticipation for god’s help. The psalm includes petitions which is made at the face of death. The psalm ends with a word of hope to indicate that there is hope beyond one’s problems. Let us pray with the same hope.

Canticle Is 61: 10-62:5

Blessing is a joy in itself. Blessing of God grows manifold. Once received God’s blessing we have the obligation to thank and praise the Lord for the wonders we have received. Let us pray for this grace of acknowledging God’s gift.

Psalm 145 (146)

This psalm is a hymn of praise to God. It traces out the character of God. It affirms the impact of God’s character on the people. The psalm affirms God as creator. God’s preferential love for the strangers, widows, and orphans is remembered here. Let us pray especially with the needy

Psalm 138 (139) 1&2

The psalm begins with a confession of faith. The psalmist makes it evident YHWH stands as the judge of all creation. God knows the psalmist. Psalm repeatedly affirms the presence of God. God’s thought is beyond human comprehension. Let us pray for proper understanding.

Canticle Col 1:12-20

God the father initiates the process of salvation. It is the father who qualifies us for redemption. It is not the merit of an individual person. Let us pray that the sin of pride may never affect us.

Psalm 142 (143)

It is a psalm of complaint. It offers a series of petitions. The speaker is in deep distress. Psalmist has enough entitlement to address YHWH in a demanding way. Prayer seeks to motivate YHWH. The psalm is also encompassed by a god who is a source of comfort and strength.

Canticle Is 66: 10-14a

Rejoice with all those people who received graces from God. It is not to get jealous of another person’s glory. Let us pray that we may enjoy the blessings of others.

Psalm 146 (147)

This is a hymn of praise. God is gracious is central message of the psalm. It offers praise after a series of reasons to praise. God’s fidelity is also a central theme of the psalm. Victory belongs not to the strongest but YHWH. Let us pray that goodness may triumph over in our daily life.

Psalm 143 (144) 1&2

Canticle Rev 11: 17-18, 12, 10b-12a

Thanks belong to God. This is theme is found in psalms as well. The collective powers may withstand God’s work for some time. But it is only temporary and god’s reign would come. Let us pray to identify the difference.

Psalm 50 (51)

This is the best known and most used penitential psalm. It is an extended confession of sin and an anticipation of new life grounded in divine forgiveness. The psalmist count on God’s deep commitment in the midst of alienation. Psalmist anticipates a new clean heart and a new and right spirit. Let us pray for the repentance.

Canticle Tob. 13: 8-11, 13-15

The hymn speaks about rebuilding the temple. The troubles in life may continue to come. But they cannot remain. God finds his victory over everything. Let us pray to believe what we recite with our lips.

Psalm 147

This psalm is a hymn of praise. The psalm focuses on Gods words. It contrast the history of creation and history of Israel. YHWH presides in faithful sovereignty is the message. Let us pray for the grace to pray for creation and thank God.

Psalm 144 (145) 1&2

This is a psalm of praise in worship. The psalm begins with an individual thanksgiving. The psalmist shows a strong resolve to praise God. This must take place every day and forever. God’s goodness is celebrated here. Let us pray that we share God’s goodness.

Canticle Rev 15: 3-4

This is the song of lamp or the song of Moses. Here is a perfect union between law and love, between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Let us pray that our belief and our actions may be in union.

Psalm 91 (92)

It is psalm of thanksgiving. It gives thanks for the mighty deeds of YHWH. The poem begins with praise and thanksgiving to God followed by the narration of the defeat of evildoers. Psalm shows how righteous flourish. Let us pray for the grace to be thankful to God always.

Canticle Ezek 36: 24-28

When Ezekiel first gave this prophecy, Israel was practically desolate and her people were exiled. God promised to not only bring back His people. God keeps his promise. Let us pray that we may keep our promises to God and to each other.

Psalm 8

This is a hymn of praise. The praise is of an individual. Psalmist focuses on creation to thank God. Caring hand of God is praised specially. The further states divine presence and activity in the world. The poet beautifully articulates works of God.