Kathisma 16

Kathisma 17

Kathisma 1

The Sixteenth Kathisma

Antiphon One

The Lord says to my lord: Sit enthroned at my right, for I have made your enemies a seat for you, a footstool for your feet. 2) He has forged your victorious sceptre; the Lord of Sion has hammered it out. 3) In battle with your foes, he is your mighty one, your courage on the day of your conquest. The holy one will appear to console you, he who is the dawn of your life, the dew of your youth.

4) The Lord has sworn to it with his right hand, and he will not go back on his word: You are a priest of God eternal, like Melchisedek of old.

5) You will destroy kings the day your anger flares; 6) You will put nations to flight; you will pile high the corpses and shatter heads far and wide. 7) He who makes kings has himself given you your throne; the God of truth enables you to hold your head up high.

Alleluia! I will extol the Lord with all my heart, in the council of the upright and in the great gathering of the people. 2) Great are the works of the Lord; they should be studied by all who delight in them. 3) Splendid and glorious are his works, and his generosity lasts forever. 4) He has made himself a memorial in his wonderful works, the Lord who is gracious and merciful. 5) He nourishes those who revere him; he remembers his covenant of old. 6) By his works, he displays his power to his people, by giving them the lands of other nations. 7) His handiwork is truth and justice; trustworthy are all his precepts, 8) ordained to last for all eternity, framed in truth and fairness. 9) He has sent redemption to his people; he has decreed his covenant to stand forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10) Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; God in his goodness will give understanding to all who strive for it. May his praise last forever.

Alleluia! Happy the man who reveres the Lord, who takes great delight in his commandments. 2) Many will his children be upon the earth, blessed generations of upright people. 3) Wealth and riches abound in his house, and there is no end to his concern for others. 4) He shines like a light in the darkness for all who are honest; he is gracious, merciful, and just. 5) All goes well with the man who is generous, who conducts his affairs honestly, for he will never stumble. 6) The just man will be remembered forever; he will not be disturbed when he gets bad news. 7) Constant in heart, he trusts in the Lord; with confident heart, he fears nothing. 8) In the end he will see the downfall of all his foes. 9) Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity endures forever; proudly will he hold his head up high. 10) The wicked man looks on with envy and gives way to anger; he gnashes his teeth, consumed by resentment. The cravings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.

Antiphon Two

Alleluia! Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! 2) Blessed be the Lord's name now, and forevermore! 3) From the rising of the sun to its setting, praised be the name of the Lord!

4) High above all nations is the Lord; far above the heavens is his glory. 5) Who can compare with the Lord, our God, enthroned on high, 6) yet able to see all the earth as well as the heavens?

7) From the dust he raises the lowly to his feet; he lifts the poor from the dunghill, 8) to seat him among princes, in the midst of the princes of his own people. 9) He confirms the barren wife in her home; then he makes her a mother, overjoyed in her children. Alleluia!

When Israel went out of Egypt, Jacob's house from a barbaric people, 2) Judah became his holy nation, Israel, his domain. 3) The sea looked and took to flight; the Jordan turned back on its course; 4) the mountains took to dancing like rams, and the hills, like yearling sheep! 5) What ailed you, sea, that you took to flight, O Jordan, that you reeled backward, 6) you mountains, that you took to dancing like rams, and you hills, like yearling sheep? 7) Tremble, earth, in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of Jacob's God, 8) who turned a rock into a pool of water, and flint into a flowing spring.

Not for our sake, O Lord, not for our sake, but for your name's sake, display your glory, because of your loving mercy, because of your faithfulness, 2) lest unbelievers say: Where is their God? 3) Our God is in heaven and on earth; whatever pleases him, he does.

4) Their idols, gold and silver, are the works of human hands! 5) They have mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; 6) they have ears, but they cannot hear; they have a nose, but they cannot smell; 7) they have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; and from their throats, not a sound! 8) Like them will their makers be, and all who trust in them!

9) House of Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their helper and protector. 10) House of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their helper and protector. 11) You who revere the Lord, trust the Lord! He is their helper and protector. 12) May the Lord bless our throne; may he bless the house of Israel; may he bless the house of Aaron. 13) May he bless those who revere the Lord, the small with the great. 14) May the Lord make you increase, you and your children! 15) May you be blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth! 16) The heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth, this he has given to the children of men. 17) It is not the dead who praise the Lord, not those who have gone down to the fortress of death, 18) but the living: We bless the Lord now and forever! Alleluia!

Out of love for me, the Lord heard my plea for mercy! 2) Yes! He bent down to listen to me as I was calling. 3) The cords of death were tightening about me; the agents of the world beneath were right behind me; anguish and grief confronted me. 4) I was being pursued, and in my alarm, I thought: No one can be trusted! 5) But I kept faith and called on the name of the Lord: I beg you, Lord, rescue my life! 6) For I am your servant -- yes, your servant and faithful son! Undo my fetters!

7) Gracious is the Lord, and just; yes, our God is full of compassion. 8) Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his friends. 9) The Lord watches over the innocent; I was brought to my knees, but he saved me. 10) Be calm once more, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. 11) He has saved you from death, my soul, and you, my eyes, from tears; you he has saved from banishment, my feet, 12) that I might walk before the face of the Lord in the land of the living.

13) How can I repay the Lord all his favors to me? 14) I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord; 15) I will offer you a sacrifice of praise. 16) I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, 17) in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Alleluia!

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

Antiphon Three

Praise the Lord, all peoples; feast him, all nations! 2) Strong is his love for us, without end his faithfulness. Alleluia!

With praise, bless the Lord, for he is good! His love lasts forever! 2) Let Israel's house declare it: His love lasts forever! 3) Let Aaron's house declare it: His love lasts forever! 4) Let those who revere the Lord, let them declare it: His love lasts forever!

5) From dire straits I cried out to the Lord; he answered me from the vastness of his domain. 6) The Lord is with me; I am not afraid! What can man do to me? 7) The Lord is with me; my helper in everything! I will see the downfall of my foes! 8) It is better to count on the Lord than to depend on men; 9) it is better to count on the Lord than to depend on princes.

10) The nations all surrounded me; in the Lord's name I cut them off; 11) they surrounded me, they encircled me; in the Lord's name I cut them off; 12) they swarmed around me like bees; they flared up like fire in thickets; in the Lord's name I cut them off. 13) You kept on pushing me [O death] until I almost fell, but the Lord came to my aid; 14) my strength and my song is the Lord; he has been my salvation.

15) Shouts of victory and joy in the tents of the just! The Lord's hand has triumphed; 16) the Lord's right hand has raised me up; the Lord's right hand has won the victory! 17) No, I will not die; I will live and declare the works of the Lord. 18) The Lord has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

19) Open the gates of justice for me; let me enter and give thanks to the Lord! 20) This is the Lord's own gate, where the just enter in. 21) I give you thanks for hearing me; you have been my salvation. 22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone; 23) this is the Lord's doing, a marvel in our eyes. 24) This is the day the Lord has made: for us, joy and gladness. 25) Salvation, O Lord! Grant salvation! Victory, O Lord! Grant victory!

26) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the Lord's house. 27) The Lord God is our light! Join in procession, branches in hand, up to the horns of the altar. 28) You are my God and I give thanks to you; my God, and I extol you to the heavens! 29) With praise, bless the Lord for he is good! His love lasts forever!

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

The Seventeenth Kathisma

Antiphon One

Happy are they who lead a blameless life, who conform to the law of the Lord. 2) Happy are they who respect his decrees and seek him with all their heart. 3) They never do wrong; instead, they walk in his ways. 4) You yourself directed that your precepts be kept diligently. 5) If only I might hold to the straight and narrow, observing your decrees! 6) Never shall I be ashamed if I can fix my eyes on your every command. 7) With sincerity of heart shall I praise you, as I learn the justice of your decrees. 8) I will do as you wish; do not abandon me, O great and everlasting one.

9) How shall a young man steer an honest course? By keeping your word. 10) With all my heart I seek you; never let me stray from your commandments. 11) In my heart, I treasure your promise, for fear of sinning against you. 12) Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your law! 13) My lips repeat them one by one, these rulings of your own mouth. 14) Along the path of your instruction lies my joy, a joy beyond all wealth. 15) Let me ponder your precepts, my eyes ever fixed on your path. 16) Your will is my delight; I will not forget your words.

17) Be good to your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18) Open my eyes that I may see the marvels that spring from your law. 19) I am but an exile on this earth; do not hide your commandments from me. 20) At all times my soul is consumed with longing for your laws. 21) Rebuke the arrogant; deal strictly with those who turn their backs on your commandments. 22) Spare me their insults and contempt, for I do as you instruct. 23) Let the powers-that-be sit scheming against me; your servant will continue to ponder your instruction. 24) For your teachings delight me; your wishes are my counsellors.

25) Prostrate in the dust lies my soul; revive me as you promised. 26) When I open my heart to you, you listen; now show me what you wish of me. 27) Make me understand where your precepts would lead me, that I may ponder your marvels. 28) Despair wears me out; renew my strength as you promised. 29) Steer me clear of delusion; grant me the grace to live by your law. 30) I have decided to go the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on doing as you wish. 31) I hold fast to your instructions, Lord; do not disappoint me. 32) I follow the path of your commandments; increase my understanding.

33) Teach me to understand your will, O Lord, for in doing it I find my reward. 34) Give me the understanding I need to obey your law, that I may keep it with all my heart. 35) Guide me along the path of your commandments, for that is my delight. 36) Make my heart receptive to your teaching, and not to thoughts of gain. 37) Never let my eyes rest on foolishness, but revive me as you promised. 38) Keep your word to your servant, that others may respect you. 39) Keep far from me the disgrace that I dread; give me life in your goodness. 40) You see how hard I try to understand your will, for whatever your decisions, they are always right.

41) Touch me with your loving kindness, Lord, with your saving help, as you promised, 42) that I may answer those who bait me, for I count on your word. 43) Rob me not of the power of speaking the truth, O great and everlasting one, for I trust your rulings, 44) that I may keep your law without fail, to my very last breath, and beyond; 45) that my feet may wander freely, for I have always sought to do your will; 46) that in the presence of kings I may proclaim your teachings, unafraid, without shame. 47) Your commandments fill me with delight, for they are dear to my heart. 48) With open arms I greet them, meditating on your will.

49) Remember your word to your servant; you have given me reason to count on it 50) This is my comfort in trouble, that your promise gives me life. 51) The proud treat me with scorn, O great and everlasting one, but I never swerve from your law. 52) My mind dwells on how you dealt with us in the past, and this comforts me, O Lord. 53) But it disturbs me to see the wicked, how they have turned away from your law. 54) As for me, they are my song, these statutes of yours, in this land of exile. 55) The night finds me thinking of your name, O Lord, still dwelling on your law. 56) Certainly, this is to my credit, that I observe your precepts.

57) O Lord, my creator, you are all I have; I shall keep your law as I have promised. 58) With all my heart have I tried to please you; pity me as you said you would. 59) I give much thought to the course of my life, and I always return to your instructions. 60) I am prompt, not remiss, in keeping your commandments; 61) though evil men hem me in on all sides, I never forget your law. 62) At dead of night I turn to you, grateful for the righteousness of your decrees. 63) Whoever reveres you can count himself my friend, whoever keeps your precepts. 64) The earth is full of your unfailing love, O Lord; show me your will.

65) Be good to your servant, Lord, in fulfillment of your word. 66) Teach me good sense and understanding, for I place my trust in your commandments. 67) I went astray before and you punished me; no more do I take your warnings lightly. 68) You are indeed good! In your goodness teach me your will. 69) The arrogant blacken my name with lies, but I go my way, wholeheartedly keeping your precepts. 70) Their hearts are hard, curdled by evil, but for me, your law is an endless delight. 71) Good thing for me that you punished me, to make me understand your statutes! 72) The law that issues from your mouth is dear to me indeed, more than a fortune in gold and silver.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.

Antiphon Two

73) Your hands have made me and fashioned me; make me understand, and I shall learn your commandments. 74) Those who respect you will be pleased with me, for I rely on your word. 75) I know they are fair and right, Lord, these rulings of yours; even in punishment you are simply keeping faith with me. 76) Let your loving kindness forever console me, just as you promised your servant. 77) Let your tenderness touch me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 78) As for the haughty and all their deceit, let them be known for what they really are! As for me, I will continue to reflect on your law. 79) Let those who revere you rally to me, those who cherish your designs. 80) Let my heart do your bidding zealously, that it may never be shamed!

81) My soul languishes in waiting for your deliverance, yet I trust in your word. 82) My eyes grow dim looking for the fulfillment of your promise; when will you comfort me? 83) Through I shrivel up like a wine-skin in kitchen smoke, I do not forget your statutes. 84) How long must your servant wait before you mete out justice to those who persecute me? 85) The arrogant keep digging pitfalls for me; your law means nothing to them. 86) All your commandments are truth that stand forever; so, help me when my persecutors hound me with lies. 87) A little more, and they would have done me in; but I have not turned my back on your precepts. 88) In your steadfast love, give me life, that I may go on obeying the statutes of your mouth.

89) Your word lasts forever, O Lord; as firmly planted as the heavens. 90) You keep your word from age to age, as stable as the earth you created. 91) Your decrees maintain creation, for all things serve you. 92) Had your law not been my endless delight, I would have perished in my troubles. 93) Never will I forget your precepts, for they have given me life. [middle] 94) I belong to you; save me! for I keep your directives. 95) Let the wicked try to undo me! I will keep trying to understand your precepts. 96) For I see that all things must come to an end; only your commandments last forever.

97) How I cherish your law! Daily I reflect on it. 98) By your teaching which is ever in my heart, you have made me wiser than my enemies. 99) I have gained more insight than my teachers, by pondering your instruction. 100) I have found more wisdom than my elders, keeping your precepts. 101) In obedience to your will, I avoid all evil paths. 102) I never wander from your decrees, for through them you are yourself my teacher. 103) How sweet the taste of your promise! Sweeter than honey on my tongue. 104) Through your precepts I gain understanding, and so I loathe all the ways of deceit.

105) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106) I have sworn to it, and I will not go back on my word; I shall observe your decrees, for they are just. 107) I suffer terribly, Lord; make good your word and renew my strength. 108) Accept this willing tribute from my lips, O Lord, and teach me your rulings. 109) I take my life in my hands daily, but I never forget your law. 110) Let the wicked set traps for me! I will never swerve from your precepts. 111) Your decrees are my heritage, O everlasting one; truly they are the joy of my heart. 112) I am resolved to do your will; that itself is my reward.

113) I cannot bear people who are lukewarm; it is your law that I love. 114) You are my refuge, my protector; I count on you to keep your word. 115) Go! Leave me, you who do evil! that I may keep the commandments of my God! 116) Support me as you promised, that I may live; do not disappoint me! 117) Let me lean on you, and I shall be safe, that I may ever respect your decrees. 118) Rid the earth of the wicked, like scum, for they are deluding themselves. 119) You have nothing but disdain for those who stray from your law; this is why I cherish your decisions. 120) The thought of you overwhelms me completely; all your rulings fill me with awe.

121) Defend my right and the justice of my cause; never leave me to the mercy of those who oppress me. 122) Side with me for my welfare; let not the proud oppress me. 123) I grow blind straining to catch sight of your deliverance, looking for your promise of justice. 124) Deal tenderly with your servant; show me what you wish of me. 125) I am your servant; give me insight that I may embrace your decrees. 126) It is time to do something, Lord, for they have broken your law. 127) O most high and honest God! I love your commandments more than gold, more than the finest gold. 128) O most high and honest God! I live my life by your precepts, and I hate deception of any kind.

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

Antiphon Three

129) O most high and honest God! How marvelous your teachings! 130) My soul cannot but keep them! Let your words unfold and give light! Let the simple understand! 131) I am forever sighing, so much do I long for your commandments. 132) Turn to me, please, and pity me, as you do those who love your name. 133) Steady my steps as you promised; never let wrongdoing master me. 134) Rescue me from oppression, that I may observe your precepts. 135) Smile with favor on your servant, and teach me to know your decrees. 136) Tears come to my eyes when I see your law forgotten, O most high.

137) You are just, Lord, and upright in your decisions. 138) The rulings you hand down are absolutely just, and you insist on faithfulness, O great one. 139) Resentment makes me speechless, as my enemies ignore your bidding. 140) But your promise has been tested through and through, O great one; shall I not cherish it as your servant? 141) Worthless and despised as I am I do not forget your precepts. 142) Your justice is justice that lasts forever; your law is changeless. 143) Though distress and anguish grip me, your commandments comfort me. 144) Your instruction is forever just; give me understanding that I may live.

145) With all my heart I call on you; answer me, Lord! I will keep your statutes. 146) I plead with you: Save me that I may do your bidding. 147) Before dawn I am up entreating you; I count on the fulfillment of your word. 148) All night long I lie awake, thinking of your promise. 149) Your love is eternal, Lord; hear me, and give me life by your decrees. 150) In their treachery, my foes close in on me, while from your law they shrink away. 151) But you, Lord, are closer still, you and the truth of your commandments. 152) I acknowledge your rulings, O everlasting one; before time began you decreed them.

153) See what trouble I am in! Set me free, for I do not forget your law. 154) Take up my cause and defend me! Keep your promise and give me new life! 155) Keep salvation far from the wicked, for they have no regard for your law. 156) Your compassion is without limit, O Lord; by your rulings give me life. 157) Those who hound and oppress me are also without limit; but I remain true to your instruction. 158) The very sight of evildoers fills me with disgust, for they ignore your law. 159) But you see how highly I regard your precepts, Lord; in your steadfast love, give me life. 160) Truth is the essence of your word, O everlasting one, and justice the meaning of your decisions.

161) Without reason, the powers-that-be hound me, and my heart is filled with dread of my pursuers. 162) Yet, I am thrilled by your promise, like a man who stumbles onto treasure. 163) Falsehood I loathe and despise; it is your law that I cherish. 164) Seven times daily I praise you for the righteousness of your rulings. 165) Great peace belongs to those who love you; their feet never stumble. 166) As I wait for you to save me, Lord, I fulfill your commandments. 167) Gladly do I heed your instruction, for it means a great deal to me. 168) I keep your precepts and abide by your teaching, living always as in your sight.

169) O Lord, let my cry reach you! Let your word endow me with perception, as you promised. 170) Let my plea reach you; be true to your word and save me. 171) Let my lips sing forth your praise, for you have made your will known to me. 172) Let my tongue repeat your words, for your rulings are justice itself. 173) Let your hand be quick to help me, for I cast my lot with your precepts. 174) I long for your deliverance, O Lord, for your law is my continual delight. 175) Long may my soul live to praise you; long be your rulings my help! 176) I wander about like a lost sheep; come, save your servant, for I have never forgotten your commandments.

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

The First Kathisma

Antiphon One

Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked, nor lingers along the path of sinners, nor sits in the company of cynics, 2) but who delights in the law of the Lord, and ponders his law day and night. 3) He is like a tree planted near flowing waters, yielding fruit in due season, whose foliage never withers or fades. All that he does succeeds.

4) But the wicked are not like this--not at all!--for they are like winnowed chaff blown about on the ground by the wind. 5) No, evildoers will not survive judgment, nor will sinners stand among the just, 6) for the Lord guards the way of the just, but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

Why do the nations gather together, and the peoples muster their troops? 2) The kings of the earth take their stand; princes make common cause against the Lord and against his anointed: 3) Let us break their fetters; let us cast off their yoke!

4)The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord laughs them to scorn. 5) Then, in his anger he speaks to them; in his rage he strikes them with terror. 6) As for me, he has made me his king on Sion, his holy mountain.

7) Let me proclaim the decree of the Lord; he said to me: You are my son; today I have become your father. 8) Ask, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the very ends of the earth your own. 9) You will break them with a rod of iron; like pots of clay will you shatter them.

10) Now, then, you kings, understand! Learn the lesson, you rulers of the earth! 11) Serve the Lord with awe, 12) with trembling pay homage to him. For if he becomes enraged, you will perish on your way, for his anger blazes suddenly. Happy are all who take refuge in him.

O Lord, how many are my foes; how many rise up against me; 2) how many say of me: His God will never help him! 3) But you, Lord, are my shield, my glory, for you let me hold my head up high.

4) When I cry aloud to the Lord, he answers me from his holy mountain. 5) When I lie down and sleep, I awake again, for the Lord sustains me. 6) I am not afraid of these people, by the tens of thousands arrayed against me on every side.

7) Rise up, O Lord! Save me, my God! O that you would slap the face of all my foes, that you would break the teeth of the wicked! 8) The Lord's is salvation! For your people your blessing!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to you, O God.

Antiphon Two

When I call on you, O God, answer me, O you who can prove me right! Give me space and freedom; be good to me and hear my prayer! 2) O you sons of men! How much longer will you turn my glory into shame? Will you never cease your chasing after nonsense, your running after falsehood? 3) This you can be sure of: The Lord does great things for his friends; the Lord hears me whenever I call on him. 4) Whatever the anger of your hearts, do no wrong; when you lie in bed awake, be silent and reflect seriously; 5) let justice be your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.

6) Many complain: Who will show us happiness? Make the light of your face shine forth on us, O Lord; 7) fill my heart with joy and gladness, more than they have from all their grain, from all their new wine. 8) In the peacefulness of your presence I lie down, and sleep comes at once, for you alone, O Lord, make me rest secure.

My words, O Lord: Hear them! Give heed to my sighs, 2) attend to my cry for help, O my king and my God! It is you I beg, O Lord: 3) in the morning you hear me; in the morning I offer you my prayer; I prepare myself and wait for you.

4) For you are not a God pleased by wickedness, the sinner is not your guest; 5) no, the arrogant dare not face you. You hate all evildoers; 6) you make liars perish. The Lord detests the man of blood and deceit.

7) As for me, because of your great love, I draw near to your house; toward your holy temple I fall in worship, filled with reverence for you, O Lord. 8) Lead me into the land of life and prosperity, for my enemies are on the watch for me; make your path straight before me.

9) For there is not a word of truth in their mouths; in their hearts there is nothing but ruin; their throats are yawning graves, their tongues smooth as honey. 10) Let all the world see their guilt, O God! Let them perish in their intrigues; for their crimes without number, chase them out, for rebelling against you.

11) But joy for all who seek your refuge, songs of gladness forever! Since you protect them, they exult in you, those who love your name, 12) You bless the just, O Lord; as a shield your favor covers them.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor take me to task in your rage. 2) Have mercy on me, Lord, for my strength is spent; heal me, Lord, for my bones ache. 3) My soul writhes in anguish, but you, O Lord--how long?

4) Come back to me, Lord; rescue my soul; save me in your unfailing love. 5) For in death, no one remembers you; who praises you in the world beneath?

6) I am worn out from groaning: Every night I drench my pillow; I soak my bed with tears: 7) my eyes waste away in sorrow; my heart has grown old because of my foes.

8) Away with you, all you who do evil! For the Lord has heard the sound of my sobbing; 9) the Lord has heard my plea; the Lord has accepted my prayer. 10) As for my enemies--let them be foiled, utterly shaken; let them fall back, doomed to destruction!

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

Antiphon Three

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge! Rescue me from those who pursue me; 2) rescue me lest they tear me apart like a lion, dragging me off where no one can save me.

3) Lord, my God! If I have done wrong, if my hands are covered with guilt, 4) if I have wronged one who did me good -- I who saved my foe without gain -- 5) then, let the enemy pursue me and catch me; let him trample my life into the world beneath; let him lay out my pride in the dust.

6) Rise up, O Lord, in your anger! Wake up, O my God! Stand up to the wrath of my foes, O you who vow judgment! 7) Throngs of people assemble around you; turn to them now from on high! 8) You are the judge of your people, O Lord: Vindicate me, O Lord, for the justice and innocence that are mine! 9) Put an end to the treachery of the wicked; let the just prevail, O just God, O you who test the heart and mind!

10) I look to God to shield me; it is he who saves the upright of heart. 11) God is a righteous ruler, slow to show anger, but always angered by those who refuse to repent. 12) Let the wicked whet his sword, string his bow, and aim it; 13) it is against himself that he prepares his deadly weapons, that he makes his arrows fiery shafts.

14) Look at him! He is pregnant with malice; he has conceived evil and gives birth to fraud. 15) He digs a pit and deepens it, and he himself will fall into it. 16) His evil will recoil upon his own head; upon his own skull will his violence descend. 17) I will give thanks to the Lord for his justice; I will sing to the name of the Lord most high!

O Lord, our Lord! How great is your name throughout the earth! Far above the heavens is your majesty! 2) Out of the mouths of infants and babes at breast, you have drawn forth praise to confound your foes, silencing unbeliever and cynic alike! 3) When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you created-- 4) what is mortal man, that you should even think of him, the son of man, that you should care for him?

5) Yet, you made him little less than a god, crowning him with honor and glory. 6) You gave him dominion over the works of your hands; you placed it all at his feet: 7) Sheep and cattle, everything; yes, wild beasts, too, 8) the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea, whatever travels the paths of the deep. 9) O Lord, our Lord! How great is your name throughout the earth!

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

The Psalter
Copyright © 1984 by the Monks of New Skete