The Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-22)
Isaiah was one of Israel's greatest prophets. He warned of impending destruction but also spoke about the bright future that would follow. His book contains prophecies about the Messiah and is frequently quoted in the New Testament.
The Benedictus (Luke 1:67-80)
The Benedictus is the name of a poetic speech given by St Zechariah, the father of St John the Baptist. It’s named after the first word of the poem – ‘Benedictus’ - which is the Latin word for ‘Blessed’. He uttered these words after regai
The Song of Judith (Judith 15:14-16:17)
The Song of Judith is a biblical hymn that celebrates the bravery of Judith, a woman who saved Israel from destruction by assassinating Holofernes, the general of the invading Assyrian army.
The Prayer of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:1-15)
The Prayer of Habakkuk is a song that describes a grand vision of God, shining forth in glory upon a mountain. The hymn draws upon the story of the Exodus and points forward to the coming of the Messiah.
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)
The Magnificat is a song of praise uttered by the Virgin Mary, found within the pages of St Luke’s gospel. The words of the song are based on a dramatic speech Mary made in the house of her elderly relative, St Elizabeth.
The Song of Songs (3:11 – 4:8)
The Song of Songs is a passionate poem about the love between a man and his bride, featuring imagery from the natural world. It may have been a royal wedding song written for King Solomon.
Miriam celebrates the Exodus (Exodus 15:1-21)
Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron, and played an important role in the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. She was a prophetess, a leader among her people, and is best known for leading the women in a song of praise and worship after crossing