CHAPTER IX: How many psalms are to be said in the night-hours.
Of the Divine Office at night-time.
In winter, that is from the first of November till Easter, they shall rise at that time which reasonable calculation shall indicate as the eighth hour of the night, in order that having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. As for the time that remains after Matins, let it be employed in study, by those Brethren who are somewhat behind-hand in the psalter and lessons. But from Easter till the first of November, let the hour for Matins be so arranged, that after a short interval during which they may go forth for the necessities of nature, Lauds may presently follow about the break of day. __________________________________________________________________
How many psalms are to be said in the night-hours.
In winter, having first said the verse, "O God incline unto mine aid, O Lord make haste to help me," [156] the words, "O Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise," [157] are next to be repeated three times After this the third Psalm is said, with a "Glory be to the Father," at the end. Then the ninety-fourth Psalm is to be recited or sung with an antiphon. Let hymn follow next, and then six psalms with antiphons. These being said, and a versicle added, let the Abbot give a blessing, and then, all being seated, let three lessons be read by the Brethren in turns, from the book lying on the lectern. After every lesson, let a responsory be sung. Let two of them be without a "Gloria," but after the third let it be added by the Cantor, and as soon as he has begun it, let all rise from their seats our of honour and reverence to the Holy Trinity.
Let the divinely inspired books, both of the Old and New Testament, be read at Matins, together with the expositions made upon them by the most famous, orthodox, and Catholic Fathers. After these three lessons and their responsories, let six other psalms follow, to be sung with an Alleluia. Then let a lesson from the Apostle be said by heart, and after that a verse and the supplication of the Litanies, that is, "Kyrie eleison." And thus let the Matins or Night-watches be brought to an end. __________________________________________________________________
[156] Ps. lxix. 2.
[157] Ps. l. 17. __________________________________________________________________