Psalter. Kathisma 17

"The Blameless" — the main memorial kathisma; read for the departed, especially on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days and on Memorial Saturdays.
Be it known how one should read the Psalter privately.
If a priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
If a layman: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.
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.
Penitential Troparia, Tone 6
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, / for, finding no excuse for ourselves, / we sinners offer this prayer to Thee as Master: / have mercy on us.
Glory: The sacred celebration of Thy prophet, O Lord, / has made the Church like unto heaven: / with men the angels rejoice. / Through his prayers, O Christ God, / guide our life in peace, / that we may sing unto Thee: Alleluia.
Now and ever: The countless multitude of my transgressions, O Theotokos — / unto Thee have I fled, O Pure One, needing salvation. / Look with mercy upon my weak soul / and intercede with Thy Son and our God / to grant me forgiveness of the grievous sins I have committed, / O only Blessed One.
Lord, have mercy. (40 times) And make as many prostrations as you wish.
Prayer to the Holy Life-Creating Trinity
O All-Holy Trinity, God and Creator of the whole world! Help and guide my heart to begin with understanding and to end with good deeds this divinely inspired book, which the Holy Spirit spoke through the mouth of David, and which I, unworthy, now intend to read. But knowing my ignorance, I fall down before Thee, and pray and ask for Thy help: O Lord, guide my mind and strengthen my heart to care not about the words of the mouth, but to rejoice in the meaning of what is spoken, and to prepare for the fulfillment of good deeds — what I learn and what I say — so that, enlightened by good deeds, at Thy Judgment I may be deemed worthy to stand at Thy right hand with all Thine elect. And now, O Master, bless, that having sighed from the heart, I may also sing with my tongue, saying thus:
Come, let us worship God, our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Then stand for a little while, until all your senses are quieted. Then make the beginning not in haste, without laziness, with compunction and a contrite heart. Say the words: “Blessed is the man…” softly and thoughtfully, with attention, and not hurrying, so that you may also understand with your mind what is spoken.

Psalm 118

Alleluia.

Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that search out his testimonies: they will diligently seek him with the whole heart. For they that work iniquity have not walked in his ways. Thou hast commanded us diligently to keep thy precepts. O that my ways were directed to keep thine ordinances. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commandments. I will give thee thanks with uprightness of heart, when I have learnt the judgments of thy righteousness. I will keep thine ordinances: O forsake me not greatly. Wherewith shall a young man direct his way? by keeping thy words. With my whole heart have I diligently sought thee: cast me not away from thy commandments. I have hidden thine oracles in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thine ordinances. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on thy commandments, and consider thy ways. I will meditate on thine ordinances: I will not forget thy words. Render a recompense to thy servant: so shall I live, and keep thy words. Unveil thou mine eyes, and I shall perceive wondrous things of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul has longed exceedingly for thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud: cursed are they that turn aside from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have sought out thy testimonies. For princes sat and spoke against me: but thy servant was meditating on thine ordinances. For thy testimonies are my meditation, and thine ordinances are my counsellors. My soul has cleaved to the ground; quicken thou me according to thy word. I declared my ways, and thou didst hear me: teach me thine ordinances. Instruct me in the way of thine ordinances; and I will meditate on thy wondrous works. My soul has slumbered for sorrow; strengthen thou me with thy words. Remove from me the way of iniquity; and be merciful to me by thy law. I have chosen the way of truth; and have not forgotten thy judgments. I have cleaved to thy testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame. I ran the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thine ordinances, and I will seek it out continually. Instruct me, and I will search out thy law, and will keep it with my whole heart. Guide me in the path of thy commandments; for I have delighted in it. Incline mine heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes that I may not behold vanity: quicken thou me in thy way. Confirm thine oracle to thy servant, that he may fear thee. Take away my reproach which I have feared: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have desired thy commandments: quicken me in thy righteousness. And let thy mercy come upon me, O Lord; even thy salvation, according to thy word. And so I shall render an answer to them that reproach me: for I have trusted in thy words. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually, for ever and ever. I walked also at large: for I sought out thy commandments. And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings, and was not ashamed. And I meditated on thy commandments, which I loved exceedingly. And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments which I loved; and I meditated in thine ordinances. Remember thy words to thy servant, wherein thou hast made me hope. This has comforted me in mine affliction: for thine oracle has quickened me. The proud have transgressed exceedingly; but I swerved not from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and was comforted. Despair took hold upon me, because of the sinners who forsake thy law. Thine ordinances were my songs in the place of my sojourning. I remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and kept thy law. This I had, because I diligently sought thine ordinances. Thou art my portion, O Lord: I said that I would keep thy law. I besought thy favour with my whole heart: have mercy upon me according to thy word. I thought on thy ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies. I prepared myself, (and was not terrified,) to keep thy commandments. The snares of sinners entangled me: but I forgot not thy law. At midnight I arose, to give thanks to thee for the judgments of thy righteousness. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy commandments. O Lord, the earth is full of thy mercy: teach me thine ordinances. Thou hast wrought kindly with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. Teach me kindness, and instruction, and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted, I transgressed; therefore have I kept thy word. Good art thou, O Lord; therefore in thy goodness teach me thine ordinances. The injustice of the proud has been multiplied against me: but I will search out thy commandments with all my heart. Their heart has been curdled like milk; but I have meditated on thy law. It is good for me that thou hast afflicted me; that I might learn thine ordinances. The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me: instruct me, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will see me and rejoice: for I have hoped in thy words. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are righteousness, and that thou in truthfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy mercy be to comfort me, according to thy word to thy servant. Let thy compassions come to me, that I may live: for thy law is my meditation. Let the proud be ashamed; for they transgressed against me unjustly: but I will meditate in thy commandments. Let those that fear thee, and those that know thy testimonies, turn to me. Let mine heart be blameless in thine ordinances, that I may not be ashamed. My soul faints for thy salvation: I have hoped in thy words. Mine eyes failed in waiting for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become as a bottle in the frost: yet I have not forgotten thine ordinances. How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment for me on them that persecute me? Transgressors told me idle tales; but not according to thy law, O Lord. All thy commandments are truth; they persecuted me unjustly; help thou me. They nearly made an end of me in the earth; but I forsook not thy commandments. Quicken me according to thy mercy; so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth. Thy word, O Lord, abides in heaven for ever. Thy truth endures to all generations; thou hast founded the earth, and it abides. The day continues by thy arrangement; for all things are thy servants. Were it not that thy law is my meditation, then I should have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thine ordinances; for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; for I have sought out thine ordinances. Sinners laid wait for me to destroy me; but I understood thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandment is very broad. How I have loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day. Thou hast made me wiser than mine enemies in thy commandment; for it is mine for ever. I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged; because I have sought out thy commandments. I have kept back my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy words. I have not declined from thy judgments; for thou hast instructed me. How sweet are thine oracles to my throat! more so than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding by thy commandments: therefore I have hated every way of unrighteousness. Thy law is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths. I have sworn and determined to keep the judgments of thy righteousness. I have been very greatly afflicted, O Lord: quicken me, according to thy word. Accept, I pray thee, O Lord, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in thine hands; and I have not forgotten thy law. Sinners spread a snare for me; but I erred not from thy commandments. I have inherited thy testimonies for ever; for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thine ordinances for ever, in return for thy mercies. I have hated transgressors; but I have loved thy law. Thou art my helper and my supporter; I have hoped in thy words. Depart from me, ye evil-doers; for I will search out the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to thy word, and quicken me; and make me not ashamed of my expectation. Help me, and I shall be saved; and I will meditate in thine ordinances continually. Thou hast brought to nought all that depart from thine ordinances; for their inward thought is unrighteous. I have reckoned all the sinners of the earth as transgressors; therefore have I loved thy testimonies. Penetrate my flesh with thy fear; for I am afraid of thy judgments. I have done judgment and justice; deliver me not up to them that injure me. Receive thy servant for good: let not the proud accuse me falsely. Mine eyes have failed for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, and teach me thine ordinances. I am thy servant; instruct me, and I shall know thy testimonies. It is time for the Lord to work: they have utterly broken thy law. Therefore have I loved thy commandments more than gold, or the topaz. Therefore I directed myself according to all thy commandments: I have hated every unjust way. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul has sought them out. The manifestation of thy words will enlighten, and instruct the simple. I opened my mouth, and drew breath: for I earnestly longed after thy commandments. Look upon me and have mercy upon me, after the manner of them that love thy name. Order my steps according to thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the false accusation of men: so will I keep thy commandments. Cause thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thine ordinances. Mine eyes have been bathed in streams of water, because I kept not thy law. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Thou hast commanded righteousness and perfect truth, as thy testimonies. Thy zeal has quite wasted me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word has been very fully tried; and thy servant loves it. I am young and despised: yet I have not forgotten thine ordinances. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth. Afflictions and distresses found me: but thy commandments were my meditation. Thy testimonies are an everlasting righteousness: instruct me, and I shall live. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will search out thine ordinances. I cried to thee; save me, and I will keep thy testimonies. I arose before the dawn, and cried: I hoped in thy words. Mine eyes prevented the dawn, that I might meditate on thine oracles. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy; quicken me according to thy judgment. They have drawn nigh who persecuted me unlawfully; and they are far removed from thy law. Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy ways are truth. I have known of old concerning thy testimonies, that thou hast founded them for ever. Look upon mine affliction, and rescue me; for I have not forgotten thy law. Plead my cause, and ransom me: quicken me because of thy word. Salvation is far from sinners: for they have not searched out thine ordinances. Thy mercies, O Lord, are many: quicken me according to thy judgment. Many are they that persecute me and oppress me: but I have not declined from thy testimonies. I beheld men acting foolishly, and I pined away; for they kept not thine oracles. Behold, I have loved thy commandments, O Lord: quicken me in thy mercy. The beginning of thy words is truth; and all the judgments of thy righteousness endure for ever. Princes persecuted me without a cause, but my heart feared because of thy words. I will exult because of thine oracles, as one that finds much spoil. I hate and abhor unrighteousness; but I love thy law. Seven times in a day have I praised thee because of the judgments of thy righteousness. Great peace have they that love thy law: and there is no stumbling-block to them. I waited for thy salvation, O Lord, and have loved thy commandments. My soul has kept thy testimonies, and loved them exceedingly. I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies; for all my ways are before thee, O Lord. Let my supplication come near before thee, O Lord; instruct me according to thine oracle. Let my petition come in before thee, O Lord; deliver me according to thine oracle. Let my lips utter a hymn, when thou shalt have taught me thine ordinances. Let my tongue utter thine oracles; for all thy commandments are righteous. Let thine hand be prompt to save me; for I have chosen thy commandments. I have longed after thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation. My soul shall live, and shall praise thee; and thy judgments shall help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I have not forgotten thy commandments.

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)
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.

After Kathisma 17:
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 2:

I have sinned before Thee, O Savior, / like the prodigal son; / receive me, O Father, as I repent, / and have mercy on me, O God!

Glory: I cry unto Thee, O Christ the Savior, / with the voice of the publican: / “Be merciful to me as Thou wast to him, / and have mercy on me, O God!”

Now and ever: O Theotokos, despise me not, / for I need Thine intercession; / my soul has placed its hope in Thee, / and do Thou have mercy on me!

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

Prayer

O Master, Lord Almighty and Creator of all the world, Father of compassion and God of mercy, who didst form man from the earth and adorn him with Thine image and likeness, that in him also Thy majestic name might be glorified upon the earth; and when he was cast out for transgressing Thy commandments, didst create him anew unto something better in Thy Christ and raise him up to heaven: I thank Thee that Thou hast magnified Thy greatness upon me and hast not delivered me utterly to mine enemies, who seek to cast me down into the abyss of Hades, nor permitted me to perish in my transgressions.

Now therefore, O greatly merciful and good Lord, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but awaitest and receivest his conversion; who raisest the fallen and healest the broken: turn me also to repentance; raise me, fallen as I am, and heal me, broken as I am. Remember Thy compassion and Thine incomprehensible goodness from ages past, and forget my measureless iniquities, which I have committed in deed, word, and thought. Dispel the blindness of my heart and grant me tears of compunction for the cleansing of my mind from defilement. Hearken, O Lord; attend, O Lover of mankind; cleanse me, O Merciful One, and free my wretched soul from the tyranny of the passions that reign within me.

Let sin no longer hold me, nor the hostile demon prevail over me or incline me to his will. But do Thou, who hast delivered me from his dominion by Thy mighty hand, O good Lord who lovest mankind, reign in me and graciously grant that I may belong wholly to Thee and henceforth live according to Thy will. And according to Thine ineffable goodness grant me purity of heart, guarding of the lips, uprightness of deeds, humble thought, peace of mind, stillness of the powers of my soul, spiritual joy, true love, long-suffering, kindness, meekness, unfeigned faith, and firm self-control; and fill me with every good fruit by the gift of Thy Holy Spirit.

Bring me not merely to the middle of my days, nor take my soul uncorrected and unprepared, but fulfill me with Thy perfection. And thus lead me forth from this present life, that, having passed unhindered by the principalities and powers of darkness, I too may by Thy grace behold the ineffable beauty of Thine unapproachable glory, together with all Thy saints, in whom Thy most holy and majestic name is sanctified and glorified: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.