The liturgical regulations for reading the Psalter are stipulated in Chapter 17 of the Typikon. In general, Orthodox worship basically consists of the Psalter. The psalms are the core, the foundation of the service. There is not a single service in the daily liturgical cycle that does not use psalms; in almost all sequences of the Trebnik, texts from the Psalter are used.
Along with the reading of kathismas at Vespers, Matins and the Lenten Hours, psalms are used separately in divine services (for example, the Hours are based on three psalms) and verses from them (prokeemny, chants to stichera).
During the week in churches, the Psalter must be read in full once, during the period of Great Lent, twice a week.
For the laity, the Psalter has become an indispensable book in home prayer. There are no special instructions here on how to read the Psalter at home, but the general rules are similar to the liturgical ones. The Psalter is read with prayers for health and the repose of the departed, especially during periods of fasting.
Rules for reading the Psalter at an Orthodox service
The period when two kathismas are read at Matins
Period:
- From the Week of Antipascha to the celebration of the Exaltation
- From December 20 to January 14 according to the church calendar
- During Meat and Cheese Weeks
Note
On weekdays, if a polyeleos matins or vigil is served, then at Vespers on the eve of the holiday the ordinary kathisma is omitted, and instead the 1st antiphon of the 1st kathisma (“Blessed is the man”) is sung.
| Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Matins | 16,17 | 2,3 | 4,5 | 7,8 | 10,11 | 13,14 | 19,20 |
| Vespers | 1 | — | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
The period when three kathismas are read at Matins
Period:
- From the giving of the Exaltation to December 20 (old style)
- From January 15 (Old Style) to Saturday before the Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Note: On weekdays, if a polyeleos matins or vigil is served, then at Vespers on the eve of the holiday the ordinary kathisma is omitted, and instead the 1st antiphon of the 1st kathisma (“Blessed is the man”) is sung. At Matins, 2 kathismas are read, and the third row is read at Vespers, instead of the 18th.
| Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Matins | 16,17 | 2,3 | 4,5,6 | 7,8,9 | 10,11,12 | 13,14,15 | 19,20 |
| Vespers | 1 | — | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Prayers at the end of the 1st kathisma
Prayers at the end of the 1st kathisma (listen):
KATHISMA 1
| According to the 1st Kathisma, Trisagion according to Our Father | After kathisma 1 Trisagion according to Our Father |
| Troparion, tone 1 : I, the prodigal, was conceived in lawlessness, I do not dare to look at the heights of Heaven, but daring in Your love for mankind, I call: God, cleanse me, a sinner, and save me. | Troparion, tone 1: I was conceived in iniquity, a prodigal one, and I do not dare to look up to the heights of heaven, but, boldly trusting in Your love for mankind, I cry out: “God, cleanse me, a sinner, and save me!” |
| Even if a righteous person is barely saved, where will I appear, a sinner? I did not bear the hardships and heat of the day, but with the mercenaries of the tenth hour, count me, O God, and save me. | If the righteous barely escapes, where will I end up, a sinner? I could not bear the hardship and heat of the day, but count me among the workers of the eleventh hour, O God, and save me. |
| Glory: The embrace of the Father opens me, despising my life fornication, looking upon the unexpected riches of your bounties, O Savior, do not despise my heart that is now impoverished. For you, Lord, I call with tenderness: I have sinned in Heaven and before You. | Glory: Hasten to open your fatherly embraces to me: I have wasted my life fornication, looking indifferently at the inexhaustible wealth of Your mercies, Savior! Now do not despise my impoverished heart, for I cry to You, Lord, in contrition: “I have sinned, Father, against heaven and before You!” |
| And now: Hope of Christians, Most Holy Virgin, Whom you gave birth to, God above your mind and words, pray unceasingly with heavenly powers to grant forgiveness of sins to all of us and correction of our lives, through faith and love I always see those who honor You. | And now: Hope of Christians, Most Holy Virgin, unceasingly pray with the Heavenly Powers of God, who was born by You above both mind and word, to grant forgiveness of sins and correction of life to all of us, who always worship You with faith and love. |
| Lord, have mercy (40 times) and prayer: | |
| Master Almighty, Incomprehensible, the beginning of the light and the exceeding power, like the Hypostatic Word, the Father and the emitter of Your only powerful Spirit: merciful for the sake of mercy and ineffable blessings guests, not despising human nature, which contains sin, but the Divine lights of Your sacred teachings, the law and prophets of the world, follow May Your only begotten Son, Who is well-willed, shine upon us in His flesh and instruct us in the illumination of Your enlightenment: may Your ears be attentive to the voice of our prayer, and grant us, O God, in vigil and sobriety in our hearts, let the whole night of this present life pass away, awaiting the coming of Your Son and God ours, the judge of all, let us not lie down and sleep, but be awake and raised up to do Your commandments and let us find ourselves in His joy, where those who celebrate the unceasing voice and the indescribable sweetness of those who see You his face has unspeakable kindness. For You are a Good and Lover of Mankind, and to You we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages, amen. | Lord Almighty, Incomprehensible, the Beginning of light and the Power that exceeds knowledge, the Hypostasis of the Word, the Father, and the Source of Thy One-Powered Spirit, who, by infinite mercy and ineffable goodness, did not despise human nature, imprisoned in the darkness of sin, but shone with the Divine light of Thy sacred teachings, the law and the prophets who shone to the world, after this, He deigned that Your Only Begotten Son Himself should appear to us in the flesh and guide us to enlightenment by Your light. May Your ears be attentive to the voice of our prayer, and grant us, O God, to pass through the whole night of our present life with a watchful and sober heart, awaiting the coming of Your Son and our God, the Judge of all. May He find us not lying down and sleeping, but awake and risen, fulfilling Your commandments, and we will all enter into His joy, where we celebrate the unceasing voice and inexpressible pleasure of contemplating the indescribable beauty of Your face. For You are a good and loving God, and to You we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. |
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During the period of Great Lent
Note: If the polyeleos are sung at Sunday Matins, then the reading of the 17th kathisma is canceled, only the 2nd and 3rd are read.
| Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||
| 1,2,3,4 and 6 weeks of Great Lent | Matins | 16,17 | 2,3,17 | 4,5,6 | 10,11,12 | 19,20,1 | 6,7,8 | 13,14,15 |
| 1st hour | — | — | — | 13 | 2 | 9 | — | |
| 3rd hour | — | — | 7 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 19 | |
| 6th hour | — | — | 8 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 20 | |
| 9th hour | — | — | 9 | 16 | 5 | 12 | — | |
| Vespers | 1 | — | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | |
| 5th week of Vel. Posta | Matins | 16,17 | 2,3,17 | 4,5,6 | 11,12,13 | 20,1,2 | 8 | 13,14,15 |
| 1st hour | — | — | — | 14 | 3 | — | — | |
| 3rd hour | — | — | 7 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 19 | |
| 6th hour | — | — | 8 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 20 | |
| 9th hour | — | — | 9 | 18 | 6 | 11 | — | |
| Vespers | 1 | — | 10 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 18 | |
| 5th week of Vel. Lent, if Thursday is the Annunciation, then the Great Canon is read on Tuesday | Matins | 16,17 | 2,3,17 | 4,5,6 | 12 | 19,20,1 | 6,7,8 | 13,14,15 |
| 1st hour | — | — | 7 | — | 2 | 9 | — | |
| 3rd hour | — | — | 8 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 19 | |
| 6th hour | — | — | 9 | 14 | 4 | 11 | 20 | |
| 9th hour | — | — | 10 | 15 | 5 | 12 | — | |
| Vespers | 1 | — | 11 | 16 | — | — | 18 | |
| Holy Week | Matins | 17 | 2,3 | 4,5,6 | 9,10,11 | 14,15,16 | — | — |
| 1st hour | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 3rd hour | — | — | 7 | 12 | 19 | — | — | |
| 6th hour | — | — | 8 | 13 | 20 | — | — | |
| 9th hour | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Vespers | 1 | — | 18 | 18 | 18 | — | — |
Recommendations for cell (home) reading of the Psalter
The Psalter is not read during the period from Maundy Thursday of Holy Week to Thomas Week (anti-Easter). During these ten days, all reading of the Psalter is canceled, both in churches and privately. In all other cases, the Psalter is read by the laity.
In cell readings, it is customary to divide kathismas into three Glories. Before and after kathisma, special prayers are read.
Before starting to read a kathisma or several kathismas:
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Amen. Heavenly King. Trisagion. And according to Our Father...
Lord have mercy (12 times)
Come, let us worship the King our God. (bow)
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King God. (bow)
Come, let us bow and fall down to Christ Himself, the King and our God. (bow)
On Slava:
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to You, God. (three times)
Lord have mercy (three times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (here you can read prayers with remembrance for health and repose or special petitions)
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
After reading the kathisma, Trisagion, troparia and prayer for kathisma
And in the end:
It is worthy to eat as truly to bless Thee, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and the Mother of our God. We magnify You, the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption.
Glory, even now. Lord, have mercy (three times).
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, by the power of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross and the holy heavenly powers of the disembodied, and the holy and God-bearing fathers ours, and the Holy Prophet David, and all the saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner, for I am good and Lover of humanity. Amen.
Prayers for health and peace on Slavy
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives (names), bosses, mentors, benefactors (names) and all Orthodox Christians.
Rest, O Lord, the souls of Your departed servants: my parents, relatives, benefactors (names) and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.
Reading psalms during the week (during the week)
On Sunday - Ps. 23
On Monday - Ps. 47
On Wednesday - Ps. 93
On Friday - Ps. 92
On Saturday - Ps. 91
Reading the Psalter for every need
The Monk Arsenios of Cappadocia used psalms for blessing, suitable for various occasions; especially in cases where there was no church order for a special need. The Greek primary source can be found in the publication “0 Heron Paisios” by Hieromonk Christodoulos, Holy Mount Athos, 1994.
(The number indicates the number of the psalm, and then indicates for what need it should be read)
- 1. When you plant a tree or vine, let it bear fruit.
- 2. May the Lord enlighten those coming to meetings and councils.
- 3. Let anger leave people, and let them not unjustly torture their neighbors.
- 4. May the Lord heal those who are soft-hearted and who become despondent at the sight of the deeds of the hard-hearted.
- 5. May the Lord heal the eyes wounded by the villain.
- 6. May the Lord free those under spell.
- 7. Tormented by fear from the intrigues and threats of villains.
- 8. Wounded by demons or wicked people.
- 9. May demonic insurance in dreams or temptations during the day cease.
- 10. Abusive spouses who bicker and get divorced (when an abusive husband or wife torments the spouse).
- 11. Mentally ill people who are tormented by anger and attack their neighbors.
- 12. Suffering from liver diseases.
- 13. Read from the demon three times a day for three days.
- 14. Let thieves or robbers turn and return home and repent.
- 15. May the lost key be found.
- 16. In case of serious unfair accusations, read three times a day for three days.
- 17. During earthquakes, other disasters or thunderstorms.
- 18. Let the woman in labor give birth.
- 19. To barren spouses, so that the Lord heals them and they do not divorce.
- 20. May the Lord soften the hearts of the rich and give alms to the poor.
- 21. May the Lord control the fire and may there be no great damage.
- 22. May the Lord pacify disobedient children so that they do not upset their parents.
- 23. May the door open when the key is lost.
- 24. Those who suffer greatly from temptations, that they lose and complain.
- 25. When someone asks God for something, so that He may give it without harm to the one asking.
- 26. May the Lord protect the peasants from the enemy army, so that there is no harm to the people and fields.
- 27. May the Lord heal those suffering from mental and nervous illnesses.
- 28. Those suffering from seasickness and fearing a stormy sea.
- 29. In dangers in distant lands, among those who exist, among the barbarians and the godless, may the Lord protect them and enlighten the people of those lands and pacify them, so that they know God.
- 30. May the Lord provide sufficient grain and fruits when the weather is unfavorable for farming.
- 31. May lost and confused travelers find their way.
- 32. May the Lord reveal the truth about those unjustly convicted and may they be released.
- 33. Those standing on the verge of death when they are tormented by demons. Or when the enemy invades with sinister intentions.
- 34. May the Lord free the good from the snares of the evil ones that oppress the people of God.
- 35. May hostility dissipate after disputes and misunderstandings.
- 36. Wounded by robbers.
- 37. For toothache.
- 38. May the abandoned and discouraged find work so that they will no longer grieve.
- 39. May the owner and the employee make peace after a quarrel.
- 40. May the wife be delivered successfully if the birth is premature.
- 41. Young people, when they suffer from unhappy love.
- 42. May our compatriots be freed from enemy captivity.
- 43. May the Lord reveal the truth to the spouses if there was a misunderstanding between them, so that they can live in peace and love.
- 44. Suffering from heart or kidney disease.
- 45. Young people who are not allowed to marry by their enemies out of envy.
- 46. In order to reconcile the worker or the owner when the worker leaves offended by the owner, and to find him a job.
- 47. When gangs of robbers rob people and grave disasters occur, read for 40 days.
- 48. To those whose work is fraught with danger.
- 49. Let those who have wandered away from God repent and turn, that they may be saved.
- 50. When, because of our sins, God sends punishment (a pestilence of people or animals) for admonition.
- 51. May the hard-hearted rulers repent and may their hearts soften, and may they stop torturing the people.
- 52. May God bless the nets and may they be filled with fish.
- 53. May the Lord enlighten the rich who bought slaves, and may they set them free.
- 54. May the good name of the family that was unjustly accused be restored.
- 55. For soft-hearted people who are hurt by their neighbors.
- 56. Those suffering from headaches resulting from great tribulation.
- 57. May circumstances favor those who work with good intentions, and may the Lord rebuke demons and wicked people.
- 58. To the dumb, may the Lord give them the gift of speech.
- 59. May the Lord reveal the truth when many people are unjustly condemned.
- 60. Those who find it difficult to work out of laziness or fear.
- 61. May the Lord deliver the weak from adversity, so that he does not complain.
- 62. May the fields and trees bear fruit during the drought.
- 63. When someone is bitten by a mad dog or a wolf.
- 64. May merchants prosper.
- 65. May the evil one not bring discord into the house, and may not plunge the family into sorrow.
- 66. Blessing be on livestock.
- 67. May those suffering from miscarriages be healed.
- 68. When the rivers flood from the rains and wash away people and houses.
- 69. To the soft-hearted, who are sad and fall into despair over trifles, may the Lord strengthen them.
- 70. For those who are lonely, who, due to the machinations of demons, are bored with their neighbors and fall into despair, may the Lord have mercy on them and heal them.
- 71. May God bless the new harvest that the peasants are reaping.
- 72. Let the robbers repent.
- 73. May the Lord protect the peasants who work in the fields when the enemy surrounded the village.
- 74. May the evil owner reconcile and not torment his neighbors and workers.
- 75. To a mother who is afraid during childbirth, may the Lord strengthen and protect her.
- 76. When there is no mutual understanding between parents and children, may the Lord enlighten them, so that children obey their parents, and parents love their children.
- 77. May the Lord enlighten creditors so that they will be compassionate and not extort debts from debtors.
- 78. May the Lord protect villages from plunder by enemy troops.
- 79. May the Lord heal the patient with dropsy.
- 80. May the Lord not leave the poor in need and grief, who have fallen into despair from poverty.
- 81. So that people buy goods from peasants, and they do not fall into grief and despair.
- 82. May the Lord forbid the evildoers who plot murder.
- 83. May the Lord protect household utensils, livestock and the fruits of labor.
- 84. May the Lord heal those wounded by robbers and those suffering from fright.
- 85. May God save the world when the plague comes and people die.
- 86. May the Lord prolong the lives of those family members whom others cannot do without.
- 87. May the Lord protect the defenseless who suffer from their hard-hearted neighbors.
- 88. May the Lord strengthen the sick and weak, so that they do not become exhausted at work and do not fall into despondency.
- 89. May the Lord send rain in the drought, and may the dry springs be filled.
- 90. Let the demon disappear that appears before a person and frightens him.
- 91. May the Lord give prudence to people so that they grow spiritually.
- 92. May the Lord protect a ship in danger at sea. (The monk also advised sprinkling the ship with holy water on four sides.)
- 93. May the Lord enlighten the troublemakers who sow discord among the people and cause unrest and division.
- 94. Let spouses not fall under the influence of spells that make them quarrel and bicker.
- 95. May the Lord heal the deaf.
- 96. Let the spell dissipate.
- 97. May the Lord comfort those overwhelmed by grief.
- 98. May God bless the young people who want to leave everything and follow Him, and may He give them grace. (Apparently, we are talking about those about to take monastic vows - translator's note.)
- 99. May the Lord bless those who do His will and fulfill their desires.
- 100. May the Lord give gifts and talents to kind and simple-hearted people.
- 101. May the Lord bless those in power so that they are kind and compassionate and help people.
- 102. May the Lord help a woman suffering from female infirmity.
- 103. May the Lord bless the wealth of people, so that they do not fall into despondency, but glorify God.
- 104. Let people repent and confess their sins.
- 105. May the Lord enlighten people so that they do not deviate from the path of salvation.
- 106. May the Lord heal the barren woman.
- 107. May the Lord pacify the enemies and may they abandon their evil intentions.
- 108. May the Lord heal the sick person with epilepsy. May the Lord have mercy on those who accuse unjustly, so that they will repent.
- 109. So that the younger ones respect the elders.
- 110. Let unrighteous judges repent and judge the people of God with justice.
- 111. May the Lord protect soldiers going to war.
- 112. May God bless the poor widow so that she pays her debts and escapes prison.
- 113. May the Lord heal weak-minded children.
- 114. May the Lord bless poor children and comfort them, so that they do not suffer from rich children and do not become despondent.
- 115. May the Lord heal you from the terrible passion of lies.
- 116. May love continue in the family and may they glorify God.
- 117. May the Lord humble the barbarians when they surround the village and instill fear in the inhabitants, and may he turn them away from evil intentions.
- 118. May the Lord frighten the barbarians and forbid them when they kill innocent women and children.
- 119. May the Lord grant long-suffering to those who have to live with the evil and unrighteous.
- 120. May the Lord protect slaves from the hands of the enemy, so that they are not maimed before they return to freedom.
- 121. May the Lord heal those suffering from superstition.
- 122. May the Lord heal the blind and those suffering from eye diseases.
- 123. May the Lord protect people from snakes so that they do not bite.
- 124. May the Lord protect the fields of the righteous from evil people.
- 125. May the Lord heal those suffering from headaches.
- 126. May the Lord bring peace to the family if there is a quarrel.
- 127. May the evil of enemies not touch the houses and may the peace and blessing of God be in the family.
- 128. May the Lord heal those suffering from migraines. May the Lord show His mercy on the hard-hearted and unrestrained, who bring grief to the soft-hearted.
- 129. May the Lord grant courage and hope to those who are starting a new work and are not skilled in it, and may they not experience great difficulties.
- 130. May the Lord grant people repentance and console them with hope so that they can be saved.
- 131. May the Lord show His mercy in a world where wars do not stop because of our sins.
- 132. May the Lord enlighten the peoples, so that they become peace-loving and live in peace.
- 133. May the Lord protect people from every misfortune.
- 134. May people concentrate during prayer and may their souls unite with God.
- 135. May the Lord protect refugees when they leave their homes and go away, may they be saved from the barbarians.
- 136. May the Lord pacify the hot-tempered.
- 137. May the Lord enlighten the rulers so that they understand the needs of the people.
- 138. May the Lord deliver the weak in spirit from the temptations of blasphemous thoughts.
- 139. May the Lord pacify the difficult character of the head of the family, so that the family does not suffer from him.
- 140. May the Lord pacify the cruel ruler who torments his neighbors.
- 141. May the Lord pacify the troublemaker who brings grief to people.
- 142. May the Lord protect a pregnant woman so as not to lose her fetus.
- 143. May the Lord pacify the ferment among the people, so that there is no rebellion.
- 144. May God bless the works of people and accept them.
- 145. May the Lord heal those suffering from bleeding.
- 146. May the Lord heal those bitten and wounded by evildoers.
- 147. May the Lord pacify wild animals, may they not cause harm to people and the economy.
- 148. May the Lord send favorable weather so that people can reap a rich harvest and glorify Him. (All the above interpretations belong to the Monk Arseny, the next two - to Father Paisius from Holy Mount Athos)
- 149. In gratitude to God for His many mercies and for the abundance of His love, which knows no bounds and abides with us.
- 150. May the Lord send contentment and consolation to our brothers and sisters in distant lands, and to our deceased brothers and sisters, who are even further away from us. Amen.
Index of Psalms
Agriculture: 1, 26, 30, 50, 52, 62, 66, 71, 83, 124, 147, 148.
Animals are hostile: 63, 123, 147.
Children: 22, 76, 109, 113, 114.
Death and the departed: 33, 150.
Disasters: 17, 21, 30, 50, 62, 68, 85, 89.
Physical health: 5, 12, 28, 36, 37, 44, 56, 58, 63, 79, 86, 88, 95, 102, 108, 122, 125, 128, 145, 146.
Mental health: 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 24, 27, 41, 55, 56, 60, 61, 69, 70, 80, 81, 84, 97, 100, 103, 128, 136, 138.
Women's health: 18, 19, 40, 67, 75, 10 142, 145.
Laws and government: 14, 16, 32, 36, 47, 51, 59, 72, 82, 84, 93, 101, 108, 110, 137, 140, 141, 143.
From unclean spirits: 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 33, 57, 65, 90, 94, 96, 121.
Peace and war: 26, 33, 42, 73, 78, 93, 107, 111, 117, 118, 120, 127, 131, 132, 135, 140, 141, 143.
Peace in the family and between friends: 10, 19, 22, 35, 41, 43, 45, 54, 65, 76, 86, 94, 109, 116, 126, 127, 139.
Property: 14, 15, 23, 47, 83, 124.
Protection: 9, 13, 34, 47, 48, 57, 90, 133.
Public issues: 20, 32, 35, 38, 51, 53, 59, 77, 80, 81, 87, 93, 101, 110, 112, 113, 114, 119, 124, 137, 140.
Spiritual issues: 3, 9, 24, 25, 29, 49, 50, 57, 72, 91, 98, 99, 100, 104, 105, 108, 115, 119, 130, 134, 136, 149.
Trips: 28, 29, 31, 92, 135, 150.
Job: 2, 38, 39, 46, 48, 51, 52, 57, 60, 64, 74, 81, 83, 100, 101, 103, 129, 137, 140, 144.
Thanks and praise: 33, 65, 66, 91, 95, 96, 102, 103, 116, 145, 149, 150.
Glorifying God: 8, 17, 92, 102, 103.
Edifying: 1, 32, 40, 45, 84, 89, 100, 111, 126.
Pouring out sorrow: 3, 12, 16, 37, 54, 87, 141, 142.
Expressing hope in God: 53, 85, 90, 111, 120.
Asking for protection and help: 3, 4, 24, 40, 54, 69, 142.
Repentant: 38, 50.
Expressing joy: 32, 83, 114.
Psalms for every need, according to the advice and instructions of the holy fathers
- To protect yourself from serious sins: 18
- Against demonic attacks: 45, 67
- When accusations and slander are raised against you: 4, 7, 36, 51
- When you see the pride and malice of many, when people have nothing sacred: 11
- For humility of spirit: 5, 27, 43, 54, 78, 79, 138
- When your enemies continue to seek your destruction: 34, 25, 42
- In gratitude for the victory over the enemy: 17
- During sorrow and misfortune: 3, 12, 21, 68, 76, 82, 142
- When despondent and in unaccountable grief: 90, 26, 101
- In defense from enemies, in adversity, during the machinations of man and the enemy: 90, 3, 37, 2, 49, 53, 58, 139
- In circumstances so that the Lord hears your prayer: 16, 85, 87, 140
- When you ask for mercy and bounty from God: 66
- If you wish to learn how to give thanksgiving to the Lord: 28
- In order not to skimp and give alms: 40
- Praising the Lord: 23, 88, 92, 95, 110, 112, 113, 114, 133, 138
- In illnesses: 29, 46, 69
- In mental turmoil: 30
- In emotional distress: 36, 39, 53, 69
- To console the oppressed: 19
- From damage and sorcerers: 49, 53, 58, 63, 139
- When you need to confess the true God: 9, 74, 104, 105, 106, 107, 117, 135, 137
- About forgiveness of sins and repentance: 50, 6, 24, 56, 129
- In spiritual joy: 102, 103
- When you hear that they are blaspheming the Providence of God: 13, 52
- Lest you be tempted when you see the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer tribulation: 72
- In gratitude for every good deed of God: 33, 145, 149, 45, 47, 64, 65, 80, 84, 97, 115, 116, 123, 125, 134, 148
- Before leaving home: 31
- On the road: 41, 42, 62, 142
- Before sowing: 64
- From theft: 51
- From sinking: 68
- From frost: 147
- In persecution: 53, 55, 56, 141
- About granting a peaceful death: 38
- About the desire to move to eternal settlements: 83
- For deceased: 118
- If the evil one prevails: 142, 67
Psalms used in worship services
Matins: Beginning: 19, 20. Six Psalms: 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, 142. Before the canon: 50. Psalms of praise: 148, 149, 150.
Hours: First: 5, 89, 100. Third: 16, 24, 50. Sixth: 53, 54, 90. Ninth: 83, 84, 85.
Vespers: Initial: 103. “Blessed is the man”: 1. On “Lord, I have cried”: 140, 141, 129, 116. At the end of Vespers: 33 (only during Great Lent).
Compline: 4, 6, 12, 69, 90, 142.
Before communion: 22, 33, 115.
Liturgy: 102, 145.
Burial: 118.
Prayers : for the sick: 70, thanksgiving: 117, New Year: 64, traveling: 120, petitionary prayer: 142.
Reading the Psalter for the Dead
The custom of reading the Psalter for the departed dates back to ancient times; reading this undoubtedly brings them great consolation in itself, as reading the word of God, and as testifying to the love for them and the memory of their living brethren. It also brings them great benefit, for it is accepted by the Lord as a pleasant propitiatory sacrifice for the cleansing of the sins of those remembered - just as every prayer and every good deed is accepted by Him.
The Psalms should be read with tenderness and contrition of heart, slowly, and carefully delving into what is being read. The greatest benefit comes from reading the Psalms by those who commemorate them: it testifies to the great degree of love and zeal for those commemorated by their living brethren, who themselves personally want to work in their memory, and not replace themselves in work with others.
The Lord will accept the feat of reading not only as a sacrifice for those remembered, but as a sacrifice for those who bring it, who work in reading.
Of course, anyone who is capable of this and has certain knowledge appropriate for serving the sacred cause can take on the reading of the Psalter at the tomb of the deceased. The sacrificial impulse of remembering relatives or friends of the deceased can largely, but not entirely, make up for their poor preparedness. In addition, the reading of the Psalter at the grave should be as continuous as possible, and this requires several changing readers. Therefore, there is a custom to invite people capable of it for sacred reading, adding to this invitation the giving of alms for those commemorated. However, in any case, the duty of attention to the word of God and prayer for the soul of the deceased lies not only with the reader of the Psalter, but also with the household relatives of the deceased.
The reading of the Psalter for the departed is of two types. The first is a strict reading of the Psalter over the tomb of the deceased in the coming days and weeks after his death - for example, until the 40th day. Reading the divinely inspired Psalms of David should ideally be a daily private activity for Orthodox Christians, therefore it is a common custom to combine the cell (home) reading of the Psalter with the commemoration of the living and the dead - this is another type of reading of the Psalter with commemoration.
If the Psalter is read only for the deceased, before the first kathisma the Canon must be read for the same deceased. After the canon - “It is worthy to eat...” and further until the end, as indicated in the rite of the private reading of the Canon for the same deceased.
When the psalter is read at the tomb of the deceased, the priest present first performs the Sequence on the outcome of soul and body. Then the reader begins reading the Psalter
At the end of the entire Psalter, the reader again reads the Canon for the one who died and after it the reading of the Psalter begins again, and this is repeated throughout the reading of the Psalter for the deceased.
“When reading the Psalter at the tomb of the deceased,” writes Bishop Afanasy (Sakhorov) in his exhaustive study “On the Commemoration of the Dead according to the Statute of the Orthodox Church,” “there is no need to read the troparia and prayers assigned for the usual cell rule according to kathismas. It would be more appropriate in all cases, both after each “Glory:” and after kathisma, to read a special memorial prayer. The practice of Ancient Rus' sanctified the use in this case of that funeral troparion, which should end the cell reading of the funeral canons: “Remember, Lord, the soul of your departed servant,” and during the reading five bows are required, and on the troparion itself it is read three times. According to the same ancient practice, the reading of the Psalter for the repose is preceded by the reading of the Canon for the deceased, after which the reading of the Psalter begins. After reading all the psalms, the funeral Canon is read again, after which the reading of the first kathisma begins again. This order continues throughout the reading of the Psalter for the repose.”
Nowadays, a slightly different tradition of reading the Psalter at the tomb has become widespread: after the first and second “Glory:” of the kathisma, the prayer “Remember, O Lord our God...” is read, and at the end of the kathisma, the troparions of the deceased are read (and not the troparia at the end of this kathisma) and the prayer prescribed after kathisma. This reading order is recommended in the Psalter published by the Moscow Patriarchate (1973) and some other publications.
When reading the Psalter at the tomb of the deceased, one should take into account the tradition and each time precede the reading of the 1st kathisma with the reading of the funeral canon.
In conclusion, it only remains to add that it is more fitting for any reader of the Psalter (experienced or not) to stand as if he were a person praying (at the feet of the tomb of the deceased), unless a particular extremity forces him to sit down. Negligence in this matter, as in the observance of other pious customs, is offensive both to the sacred rite, blessed by the Holy Church, and to the word of God, which, if carelessly, is read as if in conflict with the intention and feeling of the praying Christian.
Kathisma twentieth
Psalm to David, to Goliath, 143.
1B
Blessed be the Lord my God, teach my hands to fight, my fingers to fight. 2My mercy and my refuge, my protector and my deliverer, my protector, and in Him I have trusted: my people submit under me. 3Lord, what man is, for thou hast known him, or the son of man, for thou hast counted him 4. Man is like vanity: his days are like shadows that pass away. 5Lord, bow down the heavens and come down and touch the mountains, and they will rise up. 6 Flash the lightning, and make me a wife; send forth your arrows, and make me tremble. 7 Send down Thy hand from on high, take away me, and deliver me from many waters, from the hand of the sons of strangers, 8 whose mouth speaks vanity, and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity. 9 God, I will sing a new song to You, in the psalter of ten strings I will sing to You, 10 who gives salvation to the king, who delivered David his servant from the fierce sword. 11Deliver me, and pluck me from the hand of the sons of strangers, whose lips speak vanity, and their right hand is the right hand of wickedness. 12And their sons were like new plants planted in their youth. Their daughters are enriched and adorned, like a temple. 13 Their storehouses are full, they vomit from this into this, their sheep are prolific, multiplying in their goings, their oxen are thick. 14 There is no fall for the stronghold, below the passage, below the cry in their stacks. 15 Please the people, and this is the essence. Blessed are the people, even the Lord is their God.
Praise be to David, 144.
1IN
I will exalt You, my God, my King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2I will bless You every day and praise Your name forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and greatly praised, and His greatness will never end. 4 Generation and generation will praise Your works and proclaim Your power. 5 They will proclaim the splendor of the glory of Your holiness and tell of Your wonders. 6And they will speak of Your terrible power and Your greatness. 7 They will regurgitate the memory of the abundance of Your goodness and will rejoice in Your righteousness. 8 The Lord is generous and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. 9 The Lord is good in all ways, and His tender mercies are upon all His affairs. 10 Let all your works be confessed to you, O Lord, and let your likeness bless you. 11They will proclaim the glory of Your kingdom, and proclaim Your power, 12Tell to the sons of man Your power, and the glory of the splendor of Your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is the kingdom of all ages, and your dominion is in every generation and generation. The Lord is faithful in all His words and Holy in all His deeds. 14 The Lord strengthens all those who fall down and raises up all those who are cast down. 15 The eyes of all trust in You, and You give them food in good season. 16Thou openest Thy hand, and performeth good pleasure upon every living creature. 17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways and honorable in all His deeds. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19I will do the will of those who fear Him, and I will hear their prayer and save them. 20The Lord preserves all those who love Him and consumes all sinners. 21My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.
Glory:
Alleluia, Haggea and Zechariah, 145.
1X
Get out, my soul, Lord. 2I will praise the Lord in my life; I will sing to my God even as I am. 3 Do not trust in princes, in the sons of men, for in them there is salvation. 4His spirit will depart and return to his land. On that day all his thoughts will perish. 5 Blessed is he that the God of Jacob is his helper; his trust is in the Lord his God, 6 who created the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, keeping the truth forever, 7 creating with He gives food to the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord will decide those who are chained. 8The Lord makes the blind wise. The Lord raises up the downtrodden. The Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord protects strangers; he will accept the orphan and the widow, and destroy the way of sinners. 10 The Lord your God will reign forever in Zion, forever and ever.
Alleluia, 146.
1X
Praise the Lord, for the psalm is good. May praise be sweet to our God. 2 The Lord builds Jerusalem, and gathers up the scatterings of Israel. 3Heal the broken-hearted and make their contrition go away. 4Count the many stars and name them all. 5 Great is our Lord, and great is His strength, and His understanding is without number, 6 Accept the meek Lord, and humble sinners to the ground. 7Begin to confess to the Lord; sing to our God on the harp. 8 He who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who grows grass and grain on the mountains for the service of man, 9 who gives their food to the cattle, and the chick of the corvids who call upon Him. 10 He does not delight in the strength of his bones, but he delights in the baldness of men. 11 The Lord delights in those who fear Him and in those who trust in His mercy.
Alleluia, Haggea and Zechariah, 147.
1P
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, praise your God, O Zion, 2 for strengthen the faith of your gates, bless your sons in you. 3 Set Thy bounds for peace, and satisfy thee with the fat of wheat. 4 Send His word to the earth, until His word flows with speed, 5 giving His snow like a wave, darkness like ashes, sprinkling it, 6 throwing His strands like bread By all means. Against the face of His filth, whoever stands 7 will send His word, and I will fail, His Spirit will breathe, and the waters will flow. 8 Proclaim your word to Jacob, your righteousness and destiny to Israel. 9Do not do this to every tongue, and do not show your destiny to them.
Glory:
Alleluia, Haggea and Zechariah, 148.
1X
bring down the Lord from heaven, praise Him in the highest. 2Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His powers. 3Praise Him, you sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. 4 Praise Him, the heavens of the heavens and the waters that are higher than the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He spoke and was commanded and was created. 6I have established this commandment forever and ever and ever, and it will not pass by. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, the serpents, and all the deeps: 8 fire, hail, snow, hunger, stormy spirit that does His word, 9 the mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and everything. 10beasts and all cattle, creeping things and birds of feathers. 11 The king of the land and all the people, the princes and all the judges of the land, 12 the young men and maidens, the old men and young men, 13 let them praise the name of the Lord, for the name of Him alone is exalted Go, His confession on earth and in heaven. 14And he will lift up the horn of his people, a song to all his venerables, to the sons of Israel, to the people who draw near to him.
Alleluia, 149.
1IN
sing a new song to the Lord, His praise in the church of the saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in Him who made them, and the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. 3Let them praise His name in person, in the tympanum, and in the psalms, and sing to Him. 4 For the Lord delights in his people, and will lift up the meek to salvation. 5The saints will be praised in glory and will rejoice on their beds. 6 The praises of God are in their throats, and two sharp swords are sharp in their hands: 7 to bring vengeance on the nations, reproof on the people, 8 to bind kings by their fetters, and by their glorious hands. I have shackles of iron, 9 to do in them judgment is written. This glory will be to all who are like Him.
Alleluia, 150.
1X
praise God in His saints, praise Him in strengthening His power. 2 Praise Him according to His strength; 38 Praise Him according to the abundance of His majesty. 3 Praise Him with the trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and the harp. 4 Praise Him in the tympanum and face, praise Him in the strings and organ. 5 Praise Him with cymbals of good acclaim; praise Him with cymbals of shouting. 6Let every breath that breathes praise the Lord.
Glory, even now: Alleluia.
This psalm is especially written by David, and beyond the number of 150 psalms, it is sometimes a single combat against Goliath.
M
Al was one of my brethren, and a youth in my father's house, a shepherd of my father's sheep. My hands have created an organ, and my fingers have formed a psalter. And whoever tells my Lord, the Lord Himself will hear. He himself sent his angel, and took the meat from my father’s sheep, and anointed it with his anointing oil. My brothers are good and great, and the Lord does not take pleasure in them. I died to meet the foreigner, and I was cursed by my idols. And I pulled the sword from him, beheaded him, and took away the reproach from the children of Israel.
