Matins in Lutheranism explained

In the Lutheran Church, Matins is a morning-time liturgical order combining features that were found in the Medieval orders of Matins, Lauds, and Prime. Lutherans generally retained the Order of Matins for use in schools and in larger city parishes throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. In some places, Matins continued to be sung in Latin still longer. For example, at the close of the eighteenth century in Leipzig, one historian records that "every Sunday and festival day the canonical hours taken over from the Roman Catholic Church are still being chanted before [the chief service] at 6:30 am."^[1] The orders experienced a revival in the Confessional Renewal that took place in the 19th century, and now have a stable place in modern Lutheran liturgical books.

Representative examples

A few examples of Matins in the Lutheran Church can be found below. The first column contains the Offices of Matins, Lauds, and Prime as found in the pre-Reformation breviary from the Archdiocese of Magdeburg. The second column provides the Office of Matins from the Lutheran Cathedral of Havelberg, a suffragan of Magdeburg, as found in the 1589 Vesperale of Matthäus Ludecus, dean of the Havelberg Cathedral. The third column provides Matins as it was sung in the Lutheran Cathedral of Magdeburg in 1613, precisely one century after the pre-Reformation breviary in the first column. The final column contains the Order of Matins as found in the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Along with the outline of the office itself, the various propers for Matins of the First Sunday in Advent are also included.

Magdeburg Breviary (1513)	Vesperale (Havelberg, 1589)	Cantica Sacra (Magdeburg, 1613)	The Lutheran Hymnal (LCMS, 1941)
Matins	Matins	Matins	Matins
Latin: Domine labia mea aperies	Latin: Domine labia mea aperies	Latin: Domine labia mea aperies	"O Lord, open Thou my lips"
Latin: [[Deus in adiutorium meum intende]]	Latin: [[Deus in adiutorium meum intende]]	Latin: [[Deus in adiutorium meum intende]]	"Make haste, O God, to deliver me"
Latin: [[Gloria Patri]]	Latin: [[Gloria Patri]]	Latin: [[Gloria Patri]]	Glory be to the Father...
Latin: [[Alleluia]]	Latin: [[Alleluia]]	Latin: [[Alleluia]]	Alleluia
InvitatoryAdvent I: Latin: Ecce venit rex	Invitatory	InvitatoryAdvent I: Latin: Ecce venit rex	InvitatoryAdvent I: "Behold, the King cometh..."
Venite	Venite	Venite	Venite
First Nocturne
			Hymn
Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 1|Beatus vir]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 2|Quare fremuerunt]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 3|Domine quod multiplicati]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 4|Cum invocarem]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 5|Verba mea auribus]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 6|Domine ne in furore]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 7|Domine Deus meus in te speravi]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 8|Domine Dominus noster]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 9|Confitebor tibi]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 11|In Domino confido]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 12|Salvum me fac Domine]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 13|Usque quo Domine oblivisceris]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 14|Dixit insipiens in corde suo]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Scientes quia hora est	Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 1|Beatus vir]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 2|Quare fremuerunt]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 3|Domine quid multiplicati]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 4|Cum invocarem]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 5|Verba mea auribus]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 6|Domine ne in furore]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 7|Domine Deus meus in te speravi]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 8|Domine Dominus noster]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 9|Confitebor tibi]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 11|In Domino confido]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 12|Salvum me fac Domine]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 13|Usquequo Domine oblivisceris]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 14|Dixit insipiens in corde suo]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Scientes quia hora est	Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 1|Beatus vir]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 2|Quare fremuerunt]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 3|Domine quod multiplicati]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Scientes quia hora est	Psalmody - "One or more psalms shall be said or chanted"Advent I:Unspecified
VersicleAdvent I: V: Latin: Egredietur virga de radice Iesse R: Latin: Et flos de radice eius ascendet
First LectionAdvent I: Latin: Visio Esaie, filii Amos... (Isaiah 1:1-3)	Lections	Three Lections on Feasts and Sundays, one on FeriasAdvent I: Latin: Visio Esaie, filii Amos... (Isaiah 1:1-15)	Lections - one or more
Responsory (common, seasonal, or proper to a certain Sunday or feast)Advent I: Latin: Aspiciens a longe	Responsory (common, seasonal, or proper to a certain Sunday or feast)Advent I: Latin: Ecce dies venerunt	Three Responsories on Sundays and Feasts, one on Ferias (common, seasonal, or proper to a certain Sunday or feast)Advent I: Latin: Aspiciens a longe	Responsory (common, seasonal, or proper to a certain Sunday or feast)Advent I: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord..."
Second LectionAdvent I: Latin: Ve genti peccatrici (Isaiah 1:4-6)		Second LectionAdvent I: Latin: Lavamini, mundi estote... (Isaiah 1:16-31)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Aspiciebam in visu noctis		ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Aspiciebam in visu noctis
Third LectionAdvent I: Latin: Terra vestra deserta (Isaiah 1:7-9)		Third LectionAdvent I: Latin: Et cum appropinquasset... (Matthew 21:1-9)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Missus est Gabriel angelus		ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Missus est Gabriel angelus
Second Nocturne
Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 16|Conserva me Domine]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 17|Exaudi Domine iusticiam]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 18|Diligam te Domine]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Nox processit dies autem	Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 16|Conserva me Domine]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 17|Exaudi Domine iusticiam]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 18|Diligam te Domine]]
VersicleAdvent I: V: Latin: Egredietur Dominus de loco sancto suo R: Latin: Veniet ut salvum faciat populum suum
Fourth LectionAdvent I: Latin: Audite verbum Domini (Isaiah 1:10-13a)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Ave Maria gratia plena
Fifth LectionAdvent I: Latin: Incensum abhominatio est mihi (Isaiah 1:13b-15)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Salvatorem expectamus
Sixth LectionAdvent I: Latin: Levamini mundi estote (Isaiah 1:16-18)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Audite verbum Domini gentes
Third Nocturne
Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 19|Celi enerrant]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 20|Exaudiat te Dominus]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 21|Domine in virtute]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Hora est iam nos de somno surgere	Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 19|Coeli enerrant]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 20|Exaudiat te Dominus]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 21|Domine in virtute]]
VersicleAdvent I: V: Latin: Ex Syon species decoris eius R: Latin: Deus noste manifeste veniet
Seventh LectionAdvent I: Latin: Cum appropinquasset Iesus (Matthew 21:1-9a)		See Third Lection
HomilyAdvent I: Latin: Puto res ipsa exigit ut queramus... (Pseudo-Chrysostom, Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Homily 37)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Ecce virgo concipiet
Eighth LectionAdvent I: Latin: Ideo ergo cum tanta (Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Homily 37)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Obsecro Domine mitte quem missurus
Ninth LectionAdvent I: Latin: Quando Iudei voluerunt Christum (Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Homily 37)
ResponsoryAdvent I: Latin: Letentur celi et exultet terra
			Sermon (optional)
Latin: [[Te Deum]] Not said in Advent	Latin: [[Te Deum]]	Latin: [[Te Deum]]	Latin: [[Te Deum]] or Latin: [[Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)|Benedictus]]
	Latin: [[Dominus vobiscum]] and Latin: [[Oremus]] Collect Advent I: Latin: Excita quesumus Domine Latin: [[Dominus vobiscum]] Latin: [[Benedicamus Domino]]
Lauds	Lauds	Lauds
Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 93|Dominus regnavit]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: In illa die stillabunt montes Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 100|Iubilate Deo]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Iocundare filia Syon Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 63|Deus Deus meus ad te de luce vigilo]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 67|Deus misereatur]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Ecce Dominus veniet Latin: [[Benedicite omnia opera]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Omnes sitientes venite ad aquas Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 148|Laudate Dominum de celis]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Ecce veniet propheta magnus	Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 93|Dominus regnavit]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 100|Iubilate Deo]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 63|Deus Deus meus ad te de luce vigilo]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 67|Deus misereatur]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 148|Laudate Dominum de coelis]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 149|Cantate Domino canticum novum]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 150|Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius]]	Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 93|Dominus regnavit]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: In illa die stillabunt montes Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 100|Iubilate Deo]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Iucundare filia Syon Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 63|Deus Deus meus ad te de luce vigilo]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 67|Deus misereatur]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Ecce Dominus veniet Latin: [[Benedicite omnia opera]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Omnes sitientes venite ad aquas Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 148|Laudate Dominum de celis]] Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Ecce veniet propheta magnus
Hymn (seasonal, common, or proper)Advent I: Latin: [[Vox clara ecce intonat]]		Hymn (seasonal, common, or proper)Advent I: Latin: [[Vox clara ecce intonat|Vox ecce clara personat]]	Hymn
ChapterAdvent I: Latin: Scientes quia hora est (Romans 13:11)		Chapter (German version of what was read in Matins)Advent I: German: Da sie nun nahe... (Matthew 21:1-9)
Versicle and response (seasonal, common, or proper)Advent I: V: Latin: Vox clamantis in deserto parate viam Domino R: Latin: Rectas facite semitas Dei nostri
Latin: [[Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)|Benedictus]] with antiphon (usually proper, frequently taken from Gospel at Mass) Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Spiritus sanctus in te descendit Maria	Latin: [[Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)|Benedictus]] with antiphon	Latin: [[Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)|Benedictus]] with antiphon (usually proper, frequently taken from Gospel at Mass) Antiphon for Advent I: Latin: Spiritus sanctus in te descendet Maria
VersicleAdvent I: V: Latin: Ex Syon species decoris eius R: Latin: Deus noste manifeste veniet
CollectAdvent I: Latin: Excita quesumus Domine			CollectAdvent I: Latin: Excita quesumus Domine
Prime	Prime	Prime
Hymn - Latin: Nocte surgentes		Hymn - Latin: Jam lucis orto sydere
Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 22|Deus Deus meus respice in me]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 23|Dominus regit me]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 24|Domini est terra]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 25|Ad te Domine levavi]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 26|Iudica me Domine]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 54|Deus in nomine]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 106|Confitemini Domino]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 119|Beati immaculati]] Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 119|Retribue suo tuo vivifica me]] Psalm: Latin: [[Athanasian Creed|Quincunque vult]]		Psalmody Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 23|Dominus regit me]] or Psalm: Latin: [[Psalm 106|Confitemini Domino]] or Psalm: Latin: [[Athanasian Creed|Quincunque vult]]
Chapter Latin: Domine miserere nostri... (Isaiah 33:2)
Responsory Latin: Christe fili Dei vivi		Responsory Latin: Christe fili Dei vivi
Ninefold Latin: [[Kyrie]]			Threefold Latin: [[Kyrie]]
Latin: [[Pater noster]]			"Our Father..."
Preces			Optional suffrages
Confiteor
Preces
Latin: [[Dominus vobiscum]] and Latin: [[Oremus]]	Latin: [[Dominus vobiscum]] and Latin: [[Oremus]]		"The Lord be with you"
Collect - Latin: Domine sancte Pater omnipotens...			CollectsCollect for Grace: "O Lord, our heavenly Father..."
Versicles
Collect - Latin: Actiones nostras...
Latin: [[Oremus]]
Collect - Latin: Sancta Maria mater Domini...
Latin: [[Deus in adiutorium meum intende]] (x3)
Latin: [[Gloria Patri]]
Threefold Latin: [[Kyrie]]
Latin: [[Pater noster]]
Versicles (Psalm 90:16-17)
Latin: [[Oremus]]
Latin: Dirigere et sanctificare...
Latin: [[Dominus vobiscum]]	Latin: [[Dominus vobiscum]]
Latin: [[Benedicamus Domino]]	Latin: [[Benedicamus Domino]]	Latin: [[Benedicamus Domino]]	"Bless we the Lord."
			Benediction

References

Bibliography

• Book: Leonhardi , F. G. . 1799 . German: Geschichte und Beschreibung der Kreis- und Handelsstadt Leipzig nebst der umliegenden Gegend . Leipzig .
• Book: Stiller , Günther . Leaver . Robin A. . Bouman . Herbert J. A. . Poellot . Daniel F. . Oswald . Hilton C. . 1984 . Johann Sebastian Bach and Liturgical Life in Leipzig . St. Louis . . 0-570-01320-8 .
• Book: 1513 . Latin: Breviarum Magdeburgense . Magdeburg .
• Book: Ludecus , Matthäus . 1589 . Latin: Vesperale et Matutinale, hoc est cantica, hymni, et collectæ, sive precationes ecclesiasticæ, quæ in Primus et Secundis Vesperis, itemque Matutinis precibus, per totius anni circulum, in Ecclesiis et religiosis piorum congressibus cantari usitate solent, notis rite applicatæ, et in duas partes ordine digestæ a Matthaeo Ludeco, Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Havelbergensis Decano . Havelberg .
• Book: 1613 . Latin: Cantica Sacra, Quo ordine et melodiis, per totius anni curriculum, in Matutinis et Vespertinis, itemque; Intermediis precibus cantari solent, una cum lectionibus et precationibus in unum volumen congesta pro S. Metropolitana Magdeburgensi Ecclesia . Magdeburg . Andreas Bezelius (Petzel) .
• Book: The Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America . Polack . W. G. . 1941 . The Lutheran Hymnal . St. Louis . .

Notes and References

1. Leonhardi, p. 416; cited in Stiller, p. 49