Compline - "Seven times a day..."
Why are there seven “hours” in the monastic day? Let St. Benedict answer in the Rule of St. Benedict. “As the Prophet saith: ‘Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee’ (Ps 118[119]:164), this sacred sevenfold number will be fulfilled by us in this wise if we perform the duties of our service at the time of Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Complin.” It doesn’t end there. “For the same Prophet saith of the night watches: ‘At midnight I arose to confess to Thee’ (Ps 118[119]:62). At these times, therefore, let us offer praise to our Creator ‘for the judgments of His justice;’ namely, at Lauds, … and Complin; and let us rise at night to praise Him (cf Ps 118[119]:164, 62).” The monastic life was not for those who liked to sleep.
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