Liturgy of the Hours 
Articles specific to the Liturgy of the Hours
Psalm 118(117): The Stone Rejected has become the Cornerstone
1. When a Christian, in unison with the voice of prayer in Israel, sings Psalm 117{118}, that we just heard, he feels within him a special thrill. In fact, he finds in this liturgical hymn two phrases that echo with a new meaning in the NT. The first is verse 22, “The stone rejected by… Read More ›
Psalm 49(48):1-13: In his riches, man lacks wisdom!
1. Our meditation on Psalm 49[48] will be divided into two parts, just as it is proposed on two separate occasions by the Liturgy of Vespers. We will now comment in detail on the first part in which it is hardship that inspires reflection, as in Psalm 72[71]. The just man must face “evil days”… Read More ›
Psalm 48(47): O God we ponder your love within your temple
1. The Psalm just proclaimed is a canticle in honour of Zion, “the city of the great King” (Ps 47 [48],3), at the time, the seat of the temple of the Lord and the place of his presence in the midst of humanity. Christian faith now applies it to “Jerusalem above” which is “our mother”… Read More ›
Psalm 46(45): God “our refuge and strength”
1. We have just heard the first of the six hymns to Zion that are contained in the Psalter (cf. also Ps 48[47]; 76[75]; 84[83]; 87[86]; 122[121]. Like the other similar compositions, Psalm 46[45] celebrates the Holy City of Jerusalem, “the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High” (v. 5), but above… Read More ›
Psalm 72 (71): 11-20– He shall save the poor!
1. The Liturgy of Vespers, which we are following through its series of Psalms, presents to us in two stages Psalm 72[71], a royal and messianic hymn. After meditating on the first part (cf. vv. 1-11; [ORE], 8 December 2004, p. 11), we now have before us the second poetic and spiritual movement of this hymn… Read More ›
Psalm 72 (71): 1-11– Justice shall Flourish
1. The Liturgy of Vespers, on whose psalms and canticles we are systematically commenting, presents in two parts one of the Psalms dearest to Jewish and Christian tradition: Psalm 72[71], a royal hymn on which the Fathers of the Church meditated, reinterpreting it in a Messianic key. We have just heard the first great movement… Read More ›
Psalm 45(44): Listen my daughter
1. The sweet feminine portrait that the liturgy has offered us forms the second scene of the diptych which makes up Psalm 45[44]. It is a serene and joyful nuptial song that we read in the Liturgy of Vespers. Thus, after meditating on the king who is celebrating his wedding (cf. vv. 2-10), our gaze… Read More ›
Benedictus: Canticle of Zechariah
1. Having reached the end of our long journey through the Psalms and Canticles of the Liturgy of Lauds, let us pause to consider the prayer that marks the Office of Lauds every morning. It is the Benedictus, the Canticle intoned by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, when the birth of that son changed his life,… Read More ›
Psalm 47(46): Praise the Lord, King of all the Earth
In Psalm 46 (47), which we just prayed. It is designed as a hymn to the sovereign Lord of the universe and of history: “God is king over all the earth … God rules over all nations” (vv. 8-9). Like other similar compositions in the Psalter (cf. Ps 92; 95-98), this hymn to the Lord, the king… Read More ›
Psalm 27(26):7-14: Confidence in God in times of tribulation
1. The Liturgy of Vespers has divided Psalm 27[26] into two parts, following the text’s structure which is similar to a diptych. We have just proclaimed the second part of this hymn of trust that is raised to the Lord on the dark day of the assault of evil. Verses 7 to 14 of the Psalm open… Read More ›