Chapter 16. How the Work of God is to be done in the day-time

AS the prophet saith: Seven times in the day have I given praise to Thee.” And we shall observe this sacred number of seven if, at the times of Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline, we fulfil the duties of our service. For it was of these hours of the day that he said: “ Seven times in the day have I given praise to Thee”; just as the same prophet saith of the night watches: ‘‘ At midnight I arose to give Thee praise.” At these times, therefore, let us sing the praises of our Creator for the judgments of His justice : that is, at Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline ; and at night let us arise to praise Him,