Chapter Sixteen
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
How the Work of God Is to Be Performed during the Day
AS THE Prophet says: “Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee” (Ps. 118:164; 119:164, Vulg.), we will fulfill this sacred sevenfold number if we perform the duties of our service at the time of Morning Prayer, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline; for he was speaking of these hours when he said: “Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee.” (Ps. 118:164; 119:164, Vulg.). In fact, the same Prophet says of the night watches: “At midnight I arose to confess to Thee.” (Ps. 118:62; 119:62, Vulg.). At these times, therefore, let us offer praise to our Creator “for the judgments of His justice;” namely, at Morning Prayer, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline; and let us rise at night to acknowledge Him. (Cf. Ps. 118:164, 62; 119:164, 62, Vulg.).