Psalter. Kathisma 1
Psalm 1
The Psalm of David is not written in the Hebrews.
Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men. But his pleasure is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he meditate day and night. And he shall be as a tree planted by the brooks of waters, which shall yield its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not fall off; and whatsoever he shall do shall be prospered. Not so the ungodly; —not so: but rather as the chaff which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly shall not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the just. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 2
A Psalm of David.
Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ; saying, Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us. He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them. Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his fury. But I have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain, declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel. Now therefore understand, ye kings: be instructed, all ye that judge the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling. Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and ye should perish from the righteous way: whensoever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.
Psalm 3
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O Lord, why are they that afflict me multiplied? many rise up against me. Many say concerning my soul, There is no deliverance for him in his God. Pause. But thou, O Lord, art my helper: my glory, and the one that lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy mountain. Pause. I lay down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, who beset me round about. Arise, Lord; deliver me, my God: for thou hast smitten all who were without cause mine enemies; thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. Deliverance is the Lord’s, and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (three times)
Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
| Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon: my spiritual father , my parents , my relatives, supervisors, teachers, and benefactors , and all Orthodox Christians. (bow) |
| Deliver them from every affliction, wrath, and need, (bow) |
| and from every sickness of soul and body. (bow) |
| Forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary, (bow) |
| and do what is profitable for our souls. (bow) |
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 4
Finally, the song, the psalm of David, 4.
When I called upon him, the God of my righteousness heard me: thou hast made room for me in tribulation; pity me, and hearken to my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye be slow of heart? wherefore do ye love vanity, and seek falsehood? Pause. But know ye that the Lord has done wondrous things for his holy one: the Lord will hear me when I cry to him. Be ye angry, and sin not; feel compunction upon your beds for what ye say in your hearts. Pause. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and trust in the Lord. Many say, Who will shew us good things? the light of thy countenance, O Lord, has been manifested towards us. Thou hast put gladness into my heart: they have been satisfied with the fruit of their corn and wine and oil. I will both lie down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only hast caused me to dwell securely.
Psalm 5
Of the Hereditary, Psalm of David, 5.
Hearken to my words, O Lord, attend to my cry. Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King, and my God: for to thee, O Lord, will I pray. In the morning thou shalt hear my voice: in the morning will I wait upon thee, and will look up. For thou art not a god that desires iniquity; neither shall the worker of wickedness dwell with thee. Neither shall the transgressors continue in thy sight: thou hatest, O Lord, all them that work iniquity. Thou wilt destroy all that speak falsehood: the Lord abhors the bloody and deceitful man. But I will enter into thine house in the multitude of thy mercy: I will worship in thy fear toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make my way plain before thy face. For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vain; their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit. Judge them, O God; let them fail of their counsels: cast them out according to the abundance of their ungodliness; for they have provoked thee, O Lord. But let all that trust on thee be glad in thee: they shall exult for ever, and thou shalt dwell among them; and all that love thy name shall rejoice in thee. For thou, Lord, shalt bless the righteous: thou hast compassed us as with a shield of favour.
Psalm 6
Finally, Song of the Eighth Day, Psalm of David, 6.
O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger. Pity me, O Lord; for I am weak: heal me, O Lord; for my bones are vexed. My soul also is grievously vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy’s sake. For in death no man remembers thee: and who will give thee thanks in Hades? I am wearied with my groaning; I shall wash my bed every night; I shall water my couch with tears. Mine eye is troubled because of my wrath; I am worn out because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has hearkened to my petition; the Lord has accepted my prayer. Let all mine enemies be put to shame and sore troubled: let them be turned back and grievously put to shame speedily.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. (three times)
Lord, have mercy. (three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
| Remember, O Lord, the souls of Thy departed servants: my parents , my relatives and benefactors , and all Orthodox Christians. (bow) |
| And forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary, (bow) |
| and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven. (bow) |
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 7
The Psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord after the words of Hushai the son of Yemeniah, 7.
O Lord my God, in thee have I trusted: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Lest at any time the enemy seize my soul as a lion, while there is none to ransom, nor to save. O Lord my God, if I have done this; (if there is unrighteousness in my hands;) if I have requited with evil those who requited me with good; may I then perish empty by means of my enemies. Let the enemy persecute my soul, an take it; and let him trample my life on the ground, and lay my glory in the dust. Pause. Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath; be exalted in the utmost boundaries of mine enemies: awake, O Lord my God, according to the decree which thou didst command. And the congregation of the nations shall compass thee: and for this cause do thou return on high. The Lord shall judge the nations: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my innocence that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of sinners come to an end; and then thou shalt direct the righteous, O God that searchest the hearts and reins. My help is righteous, coming from God who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and strong, and patient, not inflicting vengeance every day. If ye will not repent, he will furbish his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready. And on it he has fitted the instruments of death; he has completed his arrows for the raging ones. Behold, he has travailed with unrighteousness, he has conceived trouble, and brought forth iniquity. He has opened a pit, and dug it up, and he shall fall into the ditch which he has made. His trouble shall return on his own head, and his unrighteousness shall come down on his own crown. I will give thanks to the Lord according to his righteousness; I will sing to the name of the Lord most high.
Psalm 8
Finally, the winepresses, David’s Psalm 8.
O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is thy name in all the earth! for thy magnificence is exalted above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise, because of thine enemies; that thou mightest put down the enemy and avenger. For I will regard the heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and stars, which thou hast established. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little less than angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour; and thou hast set him over the works of thy hands: thou hast put all things under his feet: sheep and all oxen, yea and the cattle of the field; the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, the creatures passing through the paths of the sea. O Lord our Lord, how wonderful is thy name in all the earth!
Glory:
After the 1st Kathisma:
| Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times) |
| Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. |
| O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake. |
| Lord, have mercy. (three times) |
| Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. |
| Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. |
Troparia, Tone 1
In lawlessness conceived in sin am I, the prodigal, / and I dare not look upon the heights of heaven, / but, boldly hoping in Thy love for mankind, I cry out: / “O God, cleanse me, sinful, and save me!”
If the righteous one is scarcely saved, / where shall I appear, the sinful one? / The burden and heat of the day I have not endured, / but with the workers of the eleventh hour / number me, O God, and save me.
Glory: Hasten to open Thy fatherly embrace to me: / prodigal, I have squandered my life, / gazing heedlessly upon the inexhaustible riches of Thy mercies, O Saviour! / Now despise not my impoverished heart, / for to Thee, O Lord, in contrition I cry: / “Sinned have I, O Father, against heaven and before Thee!”
Now and ever: O Hope of Christians, Most Holy Virgin, / unceasingly pray with the Heavenly Powers / to God, born of Thee beyond both mind and word, / to grant forgiveness of sins and amendment of life to all of us / who with faith and love ever honour Thee.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times) and the prayer:
Prayer
O Lord Almighty, Incomprehensible, Beginning of light and Wisdom surpassing all knowledge, Father of the Hypostatic Word and Source of Thine Equally-Powerful Spirit, who by Thine infinite mercy and ineffable goodness didst not despise human nature, imprisoned in the darkness of sin, but didst illumine the world with the divine light of Thy sacred teachings, through the Law and the Prophets, and afterwards wast pleased that Thine Only-Begotten Son should appear to us in the flesh and guide us toward enlightenment by Thy light: let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of our supplication, and grant us, O God, with a vigilant and sober heart to pass through the entire night of our present life, awaiting the coming of Thy Son and our God, the Judge of all. May He find us not lying down and sleeping, but watchful and risen, fulfilling Thy commandments, and may we all enter into His joy, where the voice of those who celebrate is unceasing, and the delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy countenance is beyond telling. For Thou art a good and man-loving God, and to Thee we send up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.