David's Key

Today's O antiphon is entitled O Clavis David (O Key of David): yet another name for Jesus.  Here's the chant, in case you're still wondering.  If you're lucky enough to know where there might be a community of monks or others who pray the Office in public, you might even hear this antiphon chanted at Evening Prayer tonight.



The English-language translation runs something like this:

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.