The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Alfred the Great
King of the West Saxons, 899 October 26

Wisdom 6:1-3,9-12,24-25
Luke 6:43-49
Psalm 21:1-7 or
Psalm 112:1-9

Preface of Baptism

O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wisdom 6:1-3,9-12,24-25

Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
and boast of many nations.
For your dominion was given you from the Lord,
and your sovereignty from the Most High;
he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.
To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,
so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.
For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,
and those who have been taught them will find a defense.
Therefore set your desire on my words;
long for them, and you will be instructed.
Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world,
and a sensible king is the stability of any people.
Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

Psalm 21:1-7 Page 608, BCP

Domine, in virtute tua

1

The king rejoices in your strength, O LORD; *
how greatly he exults in your victory!

2

You have given him his heart's desire; *
you have not denied him the request of his lips.

3

For you meet him with blessings of prosperity, *
and set a crown of fine gold upon his head.

4

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him: *
length of days, for ever and ever.

5

His honor is great, because of your victory; *
splendor and majesty have you bestowed upon him.

6

For you will give him everlasting felicity *
and will make him glad with the joy of your presence.

7

For the king puts his trust in the LORD; *
because of the loving-kindness of the Most High, he

will not fall.

or

Psalm 112:1-9 Page 755, BCP

Beatus vir

1

Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in his commandments!

2

Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3

Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.

4

Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

5

It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.

6

For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.

7

They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.

8

Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.

9

They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.

Luke 6:43-49

Jesus said, "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

"Why do you call me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house."

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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