CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL IN THE PRAYER BOOK

Morning Prayer

In the General Confession we acknowledge that “we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep” (Isaiah 53:6, Matthew 15:24).

Venite: “For He is the Lord our God: and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95).

Te Deum: “We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants: whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy precious blood” (Isaiah 49:3, 43:1, 1 Peter 1:19–19). “O Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine heritage” (Psalm 28:9).

Benedicite: “O Let Israel bless the Lord: praise Him, and magnify Him for ever ... O ye servants of the Lord: ... praise Him” (Psalm 148).

Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: for He hath visited, and redeemed His people ... to perform the oath which He sware to our forefather Abraham” (Luke 1:68–79).

Jubilate Deo: “We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:1–3).

Versicles and responses: “Endue Thy ministers with righteousness: And make Thy chosen people joyful. O Lord, save Thy people: And bless Thine inheritance” (Psalm 51:15, 70:1).

Evening Prayer

Magnificat: “He remembering His mercy hath holpen His servant Israel: as He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever” (Luke 1:54–55).

Cantate Domino: “He hath remembered His mercy and truth toward the house of Israel: and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:3).

Nunc Dimittis: “A light to lighten the gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29–32).

Deus Misereatur: “God be merciful unto us and bless us ... God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear Him” (Psalm 67).

Britain in Covenant relationship to God

chapel.jpg - 32Kb    These and many other passages from the Prayer Book express the spiritual and historic truth that in the New Testament dispensation the House of Israel has become a redeemed, Christian people.

   The founders of our British Church prepared its services as for the worship of the New Israel, a people which has embraced the faith of Jesus Christ and come under the New Covenant. The Prayer Book is thus an affirmation of our national faith, and its purpose is to bring every individual to know Christ and to believe His promises.

   This, and the fact that the Church of England is the Established Church of these Islands, means that our people are placed, as it were, in Covenant relationship to God. Grave consequences must follow our abnegation of that responsibility. But we also have the surest promise of spiritual renewal (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The chapel of St Joseph of Arimathaea at Glastonbury
(from a woodcut)

Appendix on chronology  |  back to Contents  |  back to Introduction and Map