A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lauds
LAUDS (Lat. Laudes). The name given to that division of the Canonical Hours which immediately follows Matins.
The Office of Lauds opens, according to the Ritual of the Western Church, with the series of Versicles and Responses beginning, 'Deus in adjutorium meum intende,' followed by seven Psalms and a Canticle, sung, in five divisions, with five proper Antiphons. These are succeeded by the 'Capitulum' (or 'Little Chapter'); the Hymn for the Day, with its proper versicle and Response; and the 'Benedictus,' which, with its Antiphon, is sung while the Officiating Priest and his Ministers are engaged in incensing the Altar. The Service then concludes with the Collect, or Collects, for the Day; the Commemorations (as at Vespers); and the 'Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin' proper for the Season.
On certain Festivals, the Antiphons, at Lauds, are doubled, as at Matins: and, like Matins, the Office is usually sung 'by anticipation.' The Plain Chaunt Music adapted to it will be found in the 'Antiphonarium Romanum,' and the 'Directorium Chori.' [See Matins; Antiphon.]
In the First Prayer-Book of King Edward VI, the name of 'Mattins' is given to the combined Offices of Matins, and Lauds.