V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. O God, Who for the Redemption of the world didst vouchsafe to be born, to be circumcised, to be rejected by the Jews, to be betrayed with a kiss by the traitor Judas, to be bound with cords, to be led as an innocent lamb to the slaughter, and in the sight of Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod, to be treated with indignity, to be accused by false witnesses, to be afflicted with scourges and reproaches, to be spit upon, to be crowned with thorns, to be beaten with blows, to be struck with a reed, to have Thy face veiled, to be stripped of Thy garments, to be nailed to the Cross and raised high thereon, to be ranked among thieves, to be offered gall and vinegar to drink, and to be pierced with a lance: Do Thou, O Lord, by these Thy most holy pains, which I, though unworthy, now call to mind, and by Thy holy Cross and death, deliver me (or this Thy servant, N.) from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to lead me (or him) whither Thou didst lead the Good Thief who was crucified with Thee. Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever livest and reignest, world without end. R. Amen.
The following psalms may also be said:
Psalm 117
O praise the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
Let Israel now say, that He is good: that His mercy endureth forever.
Let the house of Aaron now say: that His mercy endureth forever.
Let them that fear the Lord now say: that His mercy endureth forever.
In my trouble I called upon the Lord: and the Lord heard me, and set me at large.
The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man can do unto me.
The Lord is my helper: and I will look down upon mine enemies.
It is better to trust in the Lord: than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord: than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me round about: and in the name of the Lord have I been revenged upon them.
Surrounding me, they compassed me about: and in the name of the Lord have I been revenged upon them.
They gathered about me like bees, and burned like fire among thorns: and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged upon them.
I was sore pressed, and overthrown that I might fall: but the Lord held me up.
The Lord is my strength and my praise: and He is become my salvation.
The voice of joy and salvation: is in the tabernacles of the just.
The right hand of the Lord hath done mightily; the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength.
I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened and corrected me: but He hath not given me over unto death.
Open unto me the gates of justice; I will go into them, and give praise unto the Lord: this is the gate of the Lord: the just shall enter into it.
I will praise Thee, for Thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected: the same is become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing: and it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice in it.
O Lord, save me; O Lord, give good success: Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord: The Lord is God, and He hath shone upon us.
Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs: even unto the horn of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, and I will exalt Thee.
I will praise Thee, for Thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.
O praise ye the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Psalm 118
Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that search His testimonies: that seek Him with their whole heart.
For they that work iniquity: have not walked in His ways.
Thou hast commanded that Thy commandments be kept most diligently.
O that my ways may be so directed: that I may keep Thine ordinances.
Then shall I not be confounded: when I shall have regard to all Thy commandments.
I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart: when I shall have learned the judgments of Thy justice.
I will keep Thine ordinances: O forsake me not utterly.
By what doth a young man correct his way? even by keeping Thy words.
With my whole heart have I sought after Thee: let me not stray from Thy commandments.
Thy words have I hidden within my heart: that I may not sin against Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord: O teach me Thine ordinances.
With my lips have I declared: all the judgments of Thy mouth.
I have had delight in the way of Thy testimonies: even as in all riches.
I will meditate on Thy commandments: and I will consider Thy ways.
I will think upon Thine ordinances: I will not forget Thy words.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
