Episcopal funeral readings (1928)
The psalms and lessons appointed in the Order for the Burial of the Dead in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. The psalms are given here as the Prayer Book prints them (the Coverdale Psalter, selected verses).
6 psalms3 lessonsPublic domain
The lessons
One is read, after the psalms.
1 Corinthians 15:20–58
But now is Christ risen from the dead…
Romans 8:14–39
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God…
John 14:1–6
Let not your heart be troubled…
The psalms
One or more is said or sung. The asterisk marks the pause in the middle of each verse.
Psalm 39
Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days; * that
I may be certified how long I have to live.
Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; * and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain; * he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what is my hope? * truly my hope is even in thee.
Deliver me from all mine offences; * and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment: * every man therefore is but vanity.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and with thine ears consider my calling; * hold not thy peace at my tears;
For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, * as all my fathers were.
O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, * before
I go hence, and be no more seen.
Psalm 90
Lord, thou hast been our refuge, * from one generation to another.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made, * thou art God from everlasting, and world without end.
Thou turnest man to destruction; * again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday, when it is past, * and as a watch in the night.
As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep; * and fade away suddenly like the grass.
In the morning it is green, and groweth up; * but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
For we consume away in thy displeasure, * and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee; * and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
For when thou art angry all our days are gone: * we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
The days of our age are threescore years and ten; and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, * yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
So teach us to number our days, * that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? * the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require; * even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; * yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
And now shall he lift up mine head * above mine enemies round about me.
Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation, with great gladness: * I will sing and speak praises unto the LORD.
Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee; * have mercy upon me, and hear me.
My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face: * Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
O hide not thou thy face from me, * nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
Thou hast been my succour; * leave me not, neither forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
I should utterly have fainted, * but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
O tarry thou the LORD'S leisure; * be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the LORD.
Psalm 46
God is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God; * the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most Highest.
God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; * God shall help her, and that right early.
Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; * from whence cometh my help?
My help cometh even from the LORD, * who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; * and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD himself is thy keeper; * the LORD is thy defence upon thy right hand;
So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, * neither the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; * yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 130
Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; * Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my complaint.
If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who may abide it?
For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be feared.
I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; * in his word is my trust.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; * I say, before the morning watch.
O Israel, trust in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.
Source: The Book of Common Prayer (1928), The Order for the Burial of the Dead. See the whole burial service.