Psalter. Kathisma 3

Psalm 17

Finally, the Lord’s servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of his enemies and from the hand of Saul, said, 17.

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my firm support, and my refuge, and my deliverer; my God is my helper, I will hope in him; he is my defender, and the horn of my salvation, and my helper. I will call upon the Lord with praises, and I shall be saved from mine enemies. The pangs of death compassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness troubled me exceedingly. The pangs of hell came round about me: the snares of death prevented me. And when I was afflicted I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: he heard my voice out of this holy temple, and my cry shall enter before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains were disturbed, and were shaken, because God was angry with them. There went up a smoke in his wrath, and fire burst into a flame at his presence: coals were kindled at it. And he bowed the heaven, and came down: and thick darkness was under his feet. And he mounted on cherubs and flew: he flew on the wings of winds. And he made darkness his secret place: round about him was his tabernacle, even dark water in the clouds of the air. At the brightness before him the clouds passed, hail and coals of fire. The Lord also thundered from heaven, and the Highest uttered his voice. And he sent forth his weapons, and scattered them; and multiplied lightnings, and routed them. And the springs of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blasting of the breath of thy wrath. He sent from on high and took me, he drew me to himself out of many waters. He will deliver me from my mighty enemies, and from them that hate me; for they are stronger than I. They prevented me in the day of mine affliction: but the Lord was my stay against them. And he brought me out into a wide place: he will deliver me, because he has pleasure in me. And the Lord will recompense me according to my righteousness; even according to the purity of my hands will he recompense me. For I have kept the way of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and his ordinances departed not from me. And I shall be blameless with hem, and shall keep myself from mine iniquity. And the Lord shall recompense me according to my righteousness, and according to the purity of my hands before his eyes. With the holy thou wilt be holy; and with the innocent man thou wilt be innocent. And with the excellent man thou wilt be excellent; and with the perverse thou wilt shew frowardness. For thou wilt save the lowly people, and wilt humble the eyes of the proud. For thou, O Lord, wilt light my lamp: my God, thou wilt lighten my darkness. For by thee shall I be delivered from a troop; and by my God I will pass over a wall. As for my God, his way is perfect: the oracles of the Lord are tried in the fire; he is a protector of all them that hope in him. For who is God but the Lord? and who is a God except our God? It is God that girds me with strength, and has made my way blameless: who strengthens my feet as hart’s feet, and sets me upon high places. He instructs my hands for war: and thou hast made my arms as a brazen bow. And thou hast made me secure in my salvation: and thy right hand has helped me, and thy correction has upheld me to the end; yea, thy correction itself shall instruct me. Thou has made room for my goings under me, and by footsteps did not fail. I will pursue mine enemies, and overtake them; and I will not turn back until they are consumed. I will dash them to pieces and they shall not be able to stand: they shall fall under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength for war: thou hast beaten down under me all that rose up against me. And thou has made mine enemies turn their backs before me; and thou hast destroyed them that hated me. They cried, but there was no deliverer: even to the Lord, but he hearkened not to them. I will grind them as the mud of the streets: and I will beat them small as dust before the wind. Deliver me from the gain sayings of the people: thou shalt make me head of the Gentiles: a people whom I knew not served me, at the hearing of the ear they obeyed me: the strange children lied to me. The strange children waxed old, and fell away from their paths through lameness. The Lord lives; and blessed be my God; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avenges me, and has subdued the nations under me; my deliverer from angry enemies: thou shalt set me on high above them that rise up against me: thou shalt deliver me from the unrighteous man. Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name. God magnifies the deliverances of his king; and deals mercifully with David his anointed, and his seed, for ever.

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.

Add Commemoration of the Living
Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon: my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), my relatives, supervisors, teachers, and benefactors (names), 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)
Hide Commemoration of the Living

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 18

Finally, the Psalm of David, 18.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands. Day to day utters speech, and night to night proclaims knowledge. There are no speeches or words, in which their voices are not heard. Their voice is gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the sun he has set his tabernacle; and he comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber: he will exult as a giant to run his course. His going forth is from the extremity of heaven, and his circuit to the other end of heaven: and no one shall be hidden from his heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, instructing babes. The ordinances of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is bright, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, and justified altogether. To be desired more than gold, and much precious stone: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. For thy servant keeps to them: in the keeping of them there is great reward. Who will understand his transgressions? purge thou me from my secret sins. And spare thy servant the attack of strangers: if they do not gain the dominion over me, then shall I be blameless, and I shall be clear from great sin. So shall the sayings of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing continually before thee, O Lord my helper, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19

Finally, the Psalm of David, 19.

The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and aid thee out of Sion. Remember all thy sacrifice, and enrich thy whole-burnt-offering. Pause. Grant thee according to thy heart, and fulfill all thy desire. We will exult in thy salvation, and in the name of our God shall we be magnified: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ: he shall hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is mighty. Some glory in chariots, and some in horses: but we will glory in the name of the Lord our God. They are overthrown and fallen: but we are risen, and have been set upright. O Lord, save the king: and hear us in whatever day we call upon thee.

Psalm 20

A Psalm of David.

O Lord, the king shall rejoice in thy strength; and in thy salvation he shall greatly exult. Thou hast granted him the desire of his soul, and hast not withheld from him the request of his lips. Pause. For thou hast prevented him with blessings of goodness: thou has set upon his head a crown of precious stone. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: thou wilt crown him with glory and majesty. For thou wilt give him a blessing for ever and ever: thou wilt gladden him with joy with thy countenance. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Highest he shall not be moved. Let thy hand be found by all thine enemies: let thy right hand find all that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven at the time of thy presence: the Lord shall trouble them in his anger, and fire shall devour them. Thou shalt destroy their fruit from the earth, and their seed from among the sons of men. For they intended evils against thee; they imagined a device which they shall by no means be able to perform. For thou shalt make them turn their back in thy latter end, thou wilt prepare their face. Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy strength: we will sing and praise thy mighty acts.

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.

Add Commemoration of the Departed
Remember, O Lord, the souls of Thy departed servants: my parents (names), my relatives and benefactors (names), and all Orthodox Christians. (bow)
And forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary, (bow)
and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven. (bow)
Hide Commemoration of the Departed

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 21

Finally, on the intercession of the morning, Psalm of David, 21.

O God, my God, attend to me: why hast thou forsaken me? the account of my transgressions is far from my salvation. O my God, I will cry to thee by day, but thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be accounted for folly to me. But thou, the praise of Israel, dwellest in a sanctuary. Our fathers hoped in thee; they hoped, and thou didst deliver them. They cried to thee, and were saved: they hoped in thee, and were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and not a man; a reproach of men, and scorn of the people. All that saw me mocked me: they spoke with their lips, they shook the head, saying, He hoped in the Lord: let him deliver him, let him save him, because he takes pleasure in him. For thou art he that drew me out of the womb; my hope from my mother’s breasts. I was cast on thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Stand not aloof from me; for affliction is near; for there is no helper. Many bullocks have compassed me: fat bulls have beset me round. They have opened their mouth against me, as a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are loosened: my heart in the midst of my belly is become like melting wax. My strength is dried up, like a potsherd; and my tongue is glued to my throat; and thou hast brought me down to the dust of death. For many dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked doers has beset me round: they pierced my hands and my feet. They counted all my bones; and they observed and looked upon me. They parted my garments among themselves, and cast lots upon my raiment. But thou, O Lord, remove not my help afar off: be ready for mine aid. Deliver my soul from the sword; my only-begotten one from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth; and regard my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye seed of Jacob, glorify him: let all the seed of Israel fear him. For he has not despised nor been angry at the supplication of the poor; nor turned away his face from me; but when I cried to him, he heard me. My praise is of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him. For the kingdom is the Lord’s; and he is the governor of the nations. All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and worshipped: all that go down to the earth shall fall down before him: my soul also lives to him. And my seed shall serve him: the generation that is coming shall be reported to the Lord. And they shall report his righteousness to the people that shall be born, whom the Lord has made.

Psalm 22

A Psalm of David.

The Lord tends me as a shepherd, and I shall want nothing. In a place of green grass, there he has made me dwell: he has nourished me by the water of rest. He has restored my soul: he has guided me into the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake. Yea, even if I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of evils: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, these have comforted me. Thou has prepared a table before me in presence of them that afflict me: thou hast thoroughly anointed my head with oil; and thy cup cheers me like the best wine. Thy mercy also shall follow me all the days of my life: and my dwelling shall be in the house of the Lord for a very long time.

Psalm 23

Psalm of David, on the first day of the week, 23.

A Psalm for David on the first day of the week. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell in it. He has founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the rivers. Who shall go up to the mountain of the Lord, and who shall stand in his holy place? He that is innocent in his hands and pure in his heart; who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Pause. Lift up your gates, ye princes, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the king of glory shall come in. Who is this king of Glory? the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your gates, ye princes; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the king of glory shall come in. Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is this king of glory.

Glory:

After the 3rd Kathisma:

Trisagion through the Our Father
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 3:

While yet living on earth, my soul, repent: / for dust in the grave cannot sing, / nor canst thou then be freed from thy sins. / Cry out to Christ God: / “O Knower of hearts, sinned have I; / before Thou dost condemn me, have mercy on me!”

How long, O my soul, dost thou abide in sins? / How long dost thou delay the time of repentance? / Bring to mind the coming Judgement, and cry out to the Lord: / “O Knower of hearts, sinned have I; / before Thou dost condemn me, have mercy on me!”

Glory: At the dread Judgement, without accusers am I convicted, / without witnesses am I condemned, / for the books of conscience are opened / and hidden deeds are laid bare. / Before Thou dost examine at that public spectacle / what I have done, / O God, cleanse me and save me.

Now and ever: Incomprehensible and unfathomable / is the fearful mystery, O Lady graced by God, / that was accomplished in Thee: / for having conceived the Boundless One, Thou didst give Him birth, / clothed in flesh from Thy pure blood. / Pray to Him, O Pure One, as Thy Son, / to save all who hymn Thee.

Lord, have mercy. (40 times) and the prayer:

Prayer

O Lord Almighty, Word of the Pre-eternal Father, perfect God Himself, Jesus Christ, who by the mercy of Thine incomparable lovingkindness dost never leave Thy servants, but dost ever abide in them! Leave me not, Thy servant, O All-Holy King, but grant me, the unworthy, the joy of Thy salvation, and enlighten my mind with the light of the knowledge of Thy Gospel; bind my soul with love for Thy Cross; adorn my body with Thy dispassion; give peace to my thoughts, and preserve my steps from stumbling. And destroy me not with my iniquities, O good Lord, but try me, O God, and direct my heart; search me and know my paths; and see whether there be any way of wickedness in me, and turn me from it, and lead me in the way everlasting. For Thou art the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, and to Thee we send up glory, with Thy Beginningless Father, and Thy Most Holy, Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.