Lauds

Although this is the first service of the day hours in the Daily Office, in practice it is said together with the night office (Matins). Derived from the ancient morning prayer of the church, the service always includes Psalms 148-150, the laudes, or praises sung to God at daybreak. The canticle is the Benedictus, or Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79). The Eastern Lauds is the Orthros.