One of the most diverse books in the Bible is the Psalter. In it, everyone can find text that will reflect their inner state. There are verses that are quite understandable, but there are also those that require a special interpretation even in Russian. This article is entirely devoted to Psalm 119 - it occupies a very special place among the sacred texts.
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Have you ever thought about how vast the Holy Scriptures are? After all, it contains as many as 66 books (these are only canonical, but there are also apocrypha). Psalm 119 has a number of unique features:
- This is the longest of the psalms.
- At the same time, it is the longest chapter in the entire Bible (including the New Testament), consisting of 176 verses.
- The text consists of 22 parts, each with 8 lines.
- In the original, each new stanza begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet (the first with “aleph,” the second with “beta,” and so on). This is why the Jews call Psalm 118 “the great alphabet.”
How to read the 17th Kathisma correctly
It is better to get a blessing from a clergyman. It is better to speak the text out loud quietly. It is allowed to sit during performance.
First, the prayers laid before the beginning of the reading of the Psalter are read.
The kathisma itself is divided into three parts - status or glory: this is the moment of glorification of the Holy Trinity at the Liturgy.
Verses 1, 2,12, 22, 25, 29, 37, 58, 66, 72, 73 and 88 are read with a refrain about the repose of the soul: “Rest, O Lord, the soul of Your departed servant(s).”
Lines 92 and 93 are repeated three times - and again the funeral refrain.
The same chorus accompanies lines 94, 107, 114, 121, 131, 132, 133, 142, 153, 159, 163 and 170 (the chorus should be read after each line). The last two 175 and 176 are again performed three times and again the chorus is for the deceased slave.
At the end, the established prayers are heard - “according to the XVII kathisma.”
All of them are available in the prayer book, which should be purchased at the church store of an Orthodox church or monastery.
Text of Psalm 118 in Russian
| Alleluia | Alleluia. |
| 1 Blessed are the blameless ones who walk in the law of the Lord. | 1 Blessed are those who are blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. |
| 2 Blessed are those who experience His witness; they will seek Him with all their hearts, | 2 Blessed are those who search His testimonies; they will seek Him with all their hearts. |
| 3 For you who do not do iniquity walk in His ways. | 3 For those who do not commit iniquity have walked in His ways. |
| 4 Thou hast commanded that Thy commandments should be kept strictly. | 4 You commanded that Your commandments should be kept firmly. |
| 5 That my ways may be corrected, Thy justifications may be preserved. | 5 Oh, that my ways would be directed to keep Your commandments! |
| 6 Then I will not be ashamed, even if I regard all Your commandments. | 6 Then I would not be ashamed, considering all Your commandments. |
| 7 Let us confess to You the uprightness of our hearts, ever to teach us the destinies of Your righteousness. | 7 I will glorify You in uprightness of heart when I learn the judgments of Your righteousness. |
| 8 I will keep Your excuses; do not leave me until the end. | 8 I will keep Your commandments; don't leave me until the end. |
| 9 In this way the youngest will correct his path; always keep Your words. | 9 How will the young man correct his path? In preserving Your words. |
| 10 I have sought You with all my heart; do not turn me away from Your commandments. | 10 With all my heart I have sought You; do not turn me away from Your commandments. |
| 11 I have hidden Your words in my heart, lest I sin against You. | 11 I have hidden Your sayings in my heart, so as not to sin against You. |
| 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me by thy justification. | 12 Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments. |
| 13 With my mouth I have declared all the destinies of Your mouth. | 13 With my mouth I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. |
| 14 In the way of Thy testimonies we have enjoyed ourselves, as in all riches. | 14 In the way of Your testimonies I have enjoyed myself, as in all riches. |
| 15 I will mock Your commandments, and understand Your ways. | 15 I will meditate on Your commandments and understand Your ways. |
| 16 I will learn from Your justifications; I will not forget Your words. | 16 I will pay attention to Your commandments; I will not forget Your words. |
| 17 Reward Your servant: Live me, and I will keep Your words. | 17 Reward Your servant, revive me, and I will keep Your words. |
| 18 Open my eyes, and I will understand the wonders of Your law. | 18 Open my eyes, that I may understand the wonders of Your law. |
| 19 I am a stranger on earth: hide not Thy commandments from me. | 19 I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not Thy commandments from me. |
| 20 My soul love to desire Your destiny at all times. | 20 My soul has desired to strive for Your judgments at all times. |
| 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: curse them that turn aside from Thy commandments. | 21 You have rebuked the proud; Cursed are those who turn away from Your commandments. |
| 22 Take away from me diarrhea and humiliation, for I have sought Your testimonies. | 22 Take away from me reproach and contempt, for I have sought Your testimonies. |
| 23 For the princes are gray and slander me, and Thy servant mocks Thy justifications: | 23 For behold, the princes sat and slandered me, but Your servant reasoned about Your commandments. |
| 24 For Thy testimonies are my teaching, and Thy counsels my justifications. | 24 For Thy testimonies are my occupation, and my counselors are Thy commandments. |
| 25 My soul cleaves to the earth: live me according to Your word. | 25 My soul is drawn to the earth; quicken me according to Your word. |
| 26 Thou hast declared my ways, and Thou hast heard me: teach me by Thy justification: | 26 I made known my ways, and You heard me; teach me Your commandments. |
| 27 Let me understand the way of Your justifications, and I will mock at Your wonders. | 27 Make me understand the way of Your commandments, and I will reason about Your wonders. |
| 28 My soul slumbers from despondency: strengthen me in Your words. | 28 My soul has fallen asleep from negligence: strengthen me in Your words. |
| 29 Leave the path of unrighteousness from me, and have mercy on me with Your law. | 29 Remove the way of unrighteousness from me, and have mercy on me with Your law. |
| 30 I have chosen the path of truth, and I have not forgotten Your destiny. | 30 I have chosen the path of truth and have not forgotten Your judgments. |
| 31 I cleave to Thy testimony, O Lord, do not put me to shame. | 31 I cleave to Your testimonies; Lord, don't shame me! |
| 32 The path of Your commandments flowed when You enlarged my heart. | 32 I ran the path of Your commandments when You enlarged my heart. |
| 33 Lay down for me, O Lord, the way of Your justifications, and I will seek and take away: | 33 Make for me, O Lord, the way of Your commandments as a law, and I will seek it constantly. |
| 34 Give me understanding, and I will try Your law, and I will keep it with all my heart. | 34 Give me understanding, and I will search for Your law, and will keep it with all my heart. |
| 35 Guide me in the path of Your commandments, as I have desired. | 35 Guide me on the path of Your commandments, for I have desired it. |
| 36 Incline my heart to Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. | 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to greed. |
| 37 Turn away my eyes from seeing vanity; live me in Your way. | 37 Turn away my eyes, so as not to see vanity; on Your path revive me. |
| 38 Make Thy servant Thy word to fear. | 38 Make Thy servant Thy word to fear. |
| 39 With them is my reproach, even the nepschev: for Thy fate is good. | 39 Remove my reproach, which I fear, for Your judgments are good. |
| 40 Behold, I have desired Your commandment; live in Your righteousness. | 40 Behold, I have desired Your commandments; quicken me in Your righteousness. |
| 41 And let Thy mercy, O Lord, come upon me, Thy salvation according to Thy word. | 41 And let Your mercy, O Lord, come upon me, Your salvation according to Your word. |
| 42 And I answer those who reproach my word: for I have trusted in Your words. | 42 And I will answer those who reproach my word, for I trust in Your words. |
| 43 And do not take away from my lips the words that are truly true, because I trusted in Your destiny. | 43 And take not the words of truth from my mouth until the end, for I have trusted in Your judgments. |
| 44 And I will keep Your law forever and ever. | 44 And I will keep Your law always, forever and ever. |
| 45 And I walked in breadth, because I sought Your commandments. | 45 And I walked in the open air, for I sought Your commandments, |
| 46 And spoke of Thy testimonies before the kings, and were not ashamed: | 46 and spoke of Your testimonies before kings and was not ashamed, |
| 47 And I learned in Your commandments, which I loved dearly: | 47 and practiced Your commandments, which I loved dearly, |
| 48 And I lifted up my hands to Thy commandments, which I loved, and mocked at Thy justifications. | 48 And I lifted up my hands to Thy commandments, which I loved, and reasoned about Thy commandments. |
| 49 Remember Your words to Your servant, whose hope You have given me. | 49 Remember Your words to Your servant, with which You gave me hope. |
| 50 So comfort me in my humility, for Your word lives on me. | 50 This comforted me in my humiliation, that Your word revived me. |
| 51 Pride has been a great transgressor of the law: but I have not deviated from Your law. | 51 The proud have transgressed the law to the extreme, but I have not deviated from Your law. |
| 52 I have remembered Your destiny from eternity, O Lord, and have been comforted. | 52 I remembered Your judgments from time immemorial, O Lord, and I was comforted. |
| 53 I have received sorrow from sinners who forsake Your law. | 53 Sorrow has come upon me because of sinners who forsake Your law. |
| 54 Peta bahhu Thy justification for me, in the place of my coming. | 54 Thy commandments were like songs to me in the place of my journey. |
| 55 I have remembered Your name in the night, O Lord, and kept Your law. | 55 I remembered Your name at night, O Lord, and kept Your law. |
| 56 This was done to me, as I sought the justification of Your demands. | 56 This happened to me, because I sought Your commandments. |
| 57 Thou art my portion, O Lord, that I have decided to keep Thy law. | 57 You are my destiny, Lord; I said: I will try to preserve Your law. |
| 58 I prayed to Your face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to Your word. | 58 I prayed before You with all my heart; have mercy on me according to your word. |
| 59 I have thought about Thy ways, and brought back my nose to Thy witness. | 59 I have pondered Your ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. |
| 60 We have prepared ourselves and are not dismayed to keep Your commandments. | 60 I prepared myself and was not dismayed to keep Your commandments. |
| 61 The sinner has already obligated himself to me, and has not forgotten Your law. | 61 The ropes of sinners have entwined me, and I have not forgotten Your law. |
| 62 At midnight I rose to confess to You about the destinies of Your righteousness. | 62 At midnight I rose to glorify You for Your righteous judgments. |
| 63 I am a partaker of all those who fear You and keep Your commandments. | 63 I am a fellow member of all those who fear You and keep Your commandments. |
| 64 Fill the earth with Thy mercy, O Lord: teach me Thy righteousness. | 64 The earth is full of Thy mercy, O Lord: teach me Thy commandments. |
| 65 Thou hast done kindness to Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word. | 65 You have dealt kindly with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. |
| 66 Teach me kindness, and discipline, and wisdom, according to Thy commandments of faith. | 66 Teach me kindness, good manners, and knowledge, for I have believed Your commandments. |
| 67 Let me not even humble myself first, since I have sinned: for this reason I have preserved Your word. | 67 Before I humbled myself, I sinned, therefore I have kept Your word. |
| 68 Thou art good, O Lord, and by Thy goodness teach me by Thy justification. | 68 You are good, O Lord, and in Your goodness teach me Your commandments. |
| 69 The iniquity of the proud has multiplied against me, and with all my heart I will test Your commandments. | 69 The iniquity of the proud has increased against me, but I will search Your commandments with all my heart. |
| 70 Their hearts became as if they were milky, but they learned Thy law. | 70 Their heart thickened like milk, but I delved deeper into Your law. |
| 71 It is good for me, for Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn by Thy justification. | 71 It is good for me that You have humbled me, that I might learn Your commandments. |
| 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. | 72 The law of Your mouth is more good to me than thousands of gold and silver. |
| Glory: | Glory: |
| 73 Thy hands made me, and ye created me: give me understanding, and I will learn Thy commandment. | 73 Thy hands made me and formed me; Give me understanding, and I will learn Your commandments. |
| 74 Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, because they trust in Your words. | 74 Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I have trusted in Your words. |
| 75 I understood, Lord, that Thy destiny is righteous, and Thou hast truly humbled me. | 75 I have known, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, and in truth Thou hast humbled me. |
| 76 Be Thy mercy, that Thy servant may comfort me according to Thy word. | 76 May Thy mercy be a comfort to me, according to Thy word to Thy servant. |
| 77 May Thy compassions come to me, and I will live, for Thy law is my teaching. | 77 Let Your compassion come to me, and I will live, for Your law is my occupation. |
| 78 Let pride be ashamed, for I have committed unrighteousness against me; but I will mock Your commandments. | 78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they have committed iniquity against me unjustly, but I will reason about Your commandments. |
| 79 Let those who fear You and those who know Your testimonies convert me. | 79 Let those who fear You and know Your testimonies turn to me. |
| 80 May my heart be blameless in Your justifications, so that I will not be ashamed. | 80 Let my heart be blameless in Your commandments, so that I will not be ashamed. |
| 81 My soul disappears for Your salvation, I have trusted in Your words. | 81 My soul faints for Your salvation, and I have trusted in Your word. |
| 82 My eyes have perished in Thy word, saying, When Thou hast comforted me; | 82 My eyes fail because of Thy word; I say: “When will You console me?” |
| 83 I have become like fur on my face; I have not forgotten Your justifications. | 83 For I have become like fur in the cold; I have not forgotten Your commandments. |
| 84 How many are the days of Thy servant; when you bring judgment upon me from those who persecute me; | 84 How many days are your servant? When will you bring justice against those who persecute me? |
| 85 The transgressors have told me mockery, but not like Thy law, O Lord. | 85 The transgressors have told me reasonings, but not according to Your law, O Lord. |
| 86 All Your commandments are true: having persecuted me unrighteously, help me. | 86 All Your commandments are truth; they began to persecute me unjustly, help me. |
| 87 I have not yet passed away upon the earth: I have not forsaken Thy commandments. | 87 They almost finished me on earth, but I did not forsake Your commandments. |
| 88 Live me according to Thy mercy, and I will preserve the testimonies of Thy mouth. | 88 According to Your mercy, quicken me, and I will keep the testimony of Your mouth. |
| 89 For ever, O Lord, Thy word abideth in Heaven. | 89 Forever, O Lord, Your word remains in heaven. |
| 90 For generation and generation Thy truth. You founded the earth and it remains. | 90 Thy truth endureth unto generation and generation: Thou hast founded the earth, and it endureth. |
| 91 The day endures through Your discipline, for all kinds of work are done by You. | 91 According to Your command the day continues, for everything serves You. |
| 92 For had it not been for Thy law, my teaching, then I would have perished in my humility. | 92 For if Thy law had not been my occupation, then I would have perished in my humiliation. |
| 93 I will never forget Your justifications, for You have revived me in them. | 93 I will never forget Your commandments, for through them You have revived me. |
| [Wednesday:] | The middle of kathisma |
| 94 I am Thine, save me, for I have sought the justification of Thy demands. | 94 I am Yours, save me, for I have sought Your commandments. |
| 95 Waiting for the sinner to destroy me, I understood Your testimonies. | 95 Sinners began to wait for me to destroy me, but I understood Your testimonies. |
| 96 I have seen the end of every end; Your commandment is wide. | 96 I have seen the limit of every accomplishment; Your commandment is very broad. |
| 97 Since I have loved Your law, O Lord, I am my instruction all day long. | 97 How I have loved Your law, O Lord, it is my occupation all day long. |
| 98 Thou hast made me wiser than mine enemy, according to Thy commandment, even as I am in my age. | 98 You have made me wiser than my enemies in Your commandment, for it is mine forever. |
| 99 More than all those who taught me, I understood that Your testimonies are my teaching. | 99 I began to understand better than all those who taught me, for Your testimonies are my occupation. |
| 100 Moreover, the elder understood that I have sought Your commandments. | 100 I began to understand better than the elders, for I sought Your commandments. |
| 101 I have forbidden my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy words. | 101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, to keep Your words. |
| 102 I have not deviated from Your judgments, as You have laid down laws for me. | 102 I have not turned aside from Your judgments, for You have given me the law. |
| 103 If Your words are sweeter to my throat than honey to my lips. | 103 How sweet are Your words to my throat, better than honey to my lips. |
| 104 I understood Your commandments, and for this reason I hated every way of unrighteousness. | 104 From Your commandments I have gained understanding, therefore I have hated every way of unrighteousness. |
| 105 The lamp of my feet is Your law, and the light of my paths. | 105 Your law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths. |
| 106 I swore and vowed to preserve the fate of Your righteousness. | 106 I have sworn and decreed that I will preserve the judgments of Your righteousness. |
| 107 Humble yourself to the point, O Lord, live me according to Your word. | 107 I was brought low to the utmost; Lord, revive me according to Thy word. |
| 108 Be pleased with the freedom of my lips, O Lord, and teach me Thy destinies. | 108 Accept the voluntary sacrifices of my mouth graciously, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments. |
| 109 I will take my soul into Your hand, and I will not forget Your law. | 109 My soul is constantly in Your hands, and I have not forgotten Your law. |
| 110 Thou hast laid a snare for sinners for me, and from Thy commandments I have not gone astray. | 110 Sinners have laid a trap for me, but I have not deviated from Your commandments. |
| 111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for this is the joy of my heart. | 111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart. |
| 112 I incline my heart to create Your justifications forever for reward. | 112 I have bowed my heart to fulfill Your commandments forever, for the sake of reward. |
| 113 I have hated the lawbreakers, but I have loved Your law. | 113 I have hated the transgressors, but I have loved Your law. |
| 114 Thou art my Helper and my Protector; I trust in Thy words. | 114 My helper and my protector are You; I have trusted in Your words. |
| 115 Turn away from me, you wicked ones, and I will test the commandments of my God. | 115 Depart from me, you who do evil, and I will search the commandments of my God. |
| 116 Intercede for me according to Your word, and I will live, and do not disgrace me because of my hope. | 116 Support me according to Your word, and I will live, and do not put me to shame in my waiting. |
| 117 Help me, and I will be saved, and I will learn from Your justifications. | 117 Help me, and I will be saved, and I will always attend to Your commandments. |
| 118 Thou hast brought to naught all those who depart from Thy justifications, for their thoughts are unrighteous. | 118 You have counted as nothing all those who turn away from Your commandments, for their thoughts are unrighteous. |
| 119 All the sinners of the earth have transgressed, for this reason I have loved Your testimony. | 119 I counted all the sinners of the earth as criminals, therefore I loved Your testimonies. |
| 120 Nail my flesh with Thy fear, for I am afraid of Thy judgments. | 120 Fill my flesh with fear of You, for I am afraid of Your judgments. |
| 121 Having done justice and righteousness, do not betray me to those who offend me. | 121 I have done justice and righteousness; do not hand me over to those who offend me. |
| 122 Consider Your servant for good, so that pride does not slander me. | 122 Accept Thy servant for good, so that the proud do not slander me. |
| 123 My eyes perish for Thy salvation, and for the word of Thy righteousness. | 123 My eyes fail for Thy salvation and the word of Thy righteousness. |
| 124 Deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy justification. | 124 Do unto Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy commandments. |
| 125 I am Thy servant: give me understanding, and I will hear Thy testimony. | 125 I am Your servant; give me understanding, and I will know Your testimonies. |
| 126 It is time for the Lord to do: I have destroyed Your law. | 126 It is time for the Lord to act: they have destroyed Your law, |
| 127 For this reason I have loved Your commandments more than gold and topaz. | 127 Therefore have I loved Your commandments more than gold and topaz; |
| 128 For this reason I have been guided by all Your commandments; I have hated every way of unrighteousness. | 128 Therefore I was guided by all Your commandments; I hated every way of unrighteousness. |
| 129 Wonderful is Your testimony, for this purpose I am trying my soul. | 129 Your testimonies are wondrous, therefore my soul began to search them. |
| 130 The manifestation of Your words enlightens and instructs little children. | 130 The manifestation of Your words enlightens and admonishes little children. |
| 131 My mouth was opened, and my spirit was drawn, because I desired Thy commandments. | 131 I opened my mouth and drew the Spirit into me, for I desired Your commandments. |
| Glory: | Glory: |
| 132 Look upon me and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of those who love Your name. | 132 Look upon me and have mercy on me according to the judgment of those who love Your name. |
| 133 Direct my steps according to Thy word, and let not all iniquity possess me. | 133 Direct my steps according to Your word, and let no iniquity take possession of me. |
| 134 Deliver me from the slander of men, and I will keep Your commandments. | 134 Deliver me from human slander, and I will keep Your commandments. |
| 135 Make Thy face shine upon Thy servant, and teach me by Thy justification. | 135 Show the light of Your face to Your servant and teach me Your commandments. |
| 136 My eyes have seen the coming of the waters, but I have not kept Your law. | 136 My eyes have poured out from the fountains of water, because I have not kept Your law. |
| 137 Thou art righteous, O Lord, and Thy judges are righteous. | 137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are just. |
| 138 Thou hast commanded the truth of Thy testimony, and the truth greatly. | 138 You have commanded righteousness - Your testimonies and truth - firmly. |
| 139 Thy zeal has consumed me, for I have forgotten Thy words. | 139 Zeal for You has exhausted me, for my enemies have forgotten Your words. |
| 140 Thy word is kindled with great heat, and Thy servant loveth him. | 140 Thy word was completely purified by fire, and Thy servant loved it. |
| 141 I am the youngest and humbled, I have not forgotten Your justifications. | 141 I am very young and despised; I have not forgotten Your commandments. |
| 142 Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and your law is truth. | 142 Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your law is truth. |
| 143 Sorrows and needs have come upon me, Thy commandments are my teaching. | 143 Sorrows and troubles overtook me; Your commandments are my occupation. |
| 144 The truth of Your testimony endures forever; give me understanding, and I will live. | 144 Your testimonies are truth forever; Give me some understanding, and I will live. |
| 145 I cried with all my heart, hear me, O Lord, I will seek your righteousness. | 145 I cried with all my heart, hear me, O Lord, I will seek your commandments. |
| 146 I cried to You, save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. | 146 I cried to You, save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. |
| 147 I went ahead in hopelessness and cried out, trusting in Your words. | 147 I hastened at an inopportune hour and cried out: “I trusted in Your words.” |
| 148 Prepare my eyes for the morning, to learn from Your word. | 148 My eyes were opened until dawn to delve into Your words. |
| 149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy: live me according to Thy destiny. | 149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy, according to Thy judgment, quicken me. |
| 150 Those who persecute me with iniquity have drawn near, but have departed from Your law. | 150 Those who persecute me without law have drawn near, but they have departed from Your law. |
| 151 Thou art near, O Lord, and all Thy ways are the truth. | 151 You are near, O Lord, and all Your ways are truth. |
| 152 From the beginning I knew from Your testimonies that I founded the age. | 152 From the beginning I knew from Your testimonies that You founded them forever. |
| 153 See my humility and forgive me, for I have not forgotten Your law. | 153 Look at my humiliation and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your law. |
| 154 Judge my judgment and deliver me; live me by Your word. | 154 Judge my case and deliver me; revive me according to Your word. |
| 155 Salvation is far from the sinner, for I have not sought Your justifications. | 155 Salvation is far from sinners, for they have not sought Your commandments. |
| 156 Thy bounties are many, O Lord, live me according to Thy destiny. | 156 Great is Thy compassion, O Lord; according to Thy judgment, quicken me. |
| 157 The many who drive me out and oppress me do not turn away from Your testimonies. | 157 There are many who drive me out and oppress me; I have not turned aside from Your testimonies. |
| 158 I have seen those who do not understand and have fallen away, because I have not kept Your words. | 158 I saw the foolish and fainted, because they did not keep Your words. |
| 159 See that I have loved Your commandments, O Lord, live for me according to Your mercy. | 159 See that I have loved Your commandments, O Lord; according to Your mercy, quicken me. |
| 160 The beginning of Your words is truth, and the whole destiny of Your righteousness endures forever. | 160 The beginning of Your words is truth, and forever are all the judgments of Your righteousness. |
| 161 The princes have driven me into obscurity, and my heart has feared because of Your words. | 161 The princes began to persecute me innocently, but because of Your words my heart was afraid. |
| 162 I will rejoice in Your words, for I have gained much gain. | 162 I will rejoice in Your words, like one who finds much spoil. |
| 163 I have hated and detested injustice, but I have loved Your law. | 163 I hated and despised unrighteousness, but I loved Your law. |
| 164 By day of the seven days we praise Thee about the destinies of Thy righteousness. | 164 Seven times a day I praised You for the judgments of Your righteousness. |
| 165 There is peace for many who love Your law, and there is no temptation for them. | 165 Great peace is there for those who love Your law, and there is no stumbling block for them. |
| 166 I have loved Your salvation, O Lord, and Your commandments. | 166 I have waited for Your salvation, O Lord, and have loved Your commandments. |
| 167 My soul preserve Thy testimonies and love me dearly. | 167 My soul has preserved Your testimonies, and loved them deeply. |
| 168 I will keep Your commandments and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You, O Lord. | 168 I have kept Your commandments and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You, O Lord. |
| 169 Let my prayer draw near before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your word. | 169 Let my prayer come near before Thy face, O Lord; give me understanding according to Thy word. |
| 170 May my petition come before You, O Lord; deliver me according to Your word. | 170 Let my petition come before Thy face, O Lord; deliver me according to Thy word. |
| 171 My lips will burst forth with song, when Thou hast taught me Thy righteousness. | 171 My lips will pour out song when You teach me Your commandments. |
| 172 My tongue proclaims Your words, for all Your commandments are true. | 172 My tongue will utter Your words, for all Your commandments are truth. |
| 173 May Thy hand be to save me, as I have willed Thy commandments. | 173 Let Your hand be to save me, for I have chosen Your commandments. |
| 174 I have desired Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my teaching. | 174 I have desired Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my occupation. |
| 175 My soul will live and praise Thee, and Thy destinies will help me. | 175 My soul will live and praise You, and Your judgments will help me. |
| 176 I have gone astray, like a lost sheep, seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy commandments. | 176 I am lost, like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments. |
| Glory: | Glory: |
Theological interpretation of Psalm 118
Each part of the psalm mentions either a law (meaning God’s law, which had a literal meaning for the Jews), or a path, a commandment, etc. The author clearly put the Biblical commandments in the first place in his life and tried in every possible way to fulfill them.
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Although David himself committed grave sins, over time he became wiser. Many theologians believe that he wrote this work already in adulthood. It was supposed to be a fatherly instruction to young Solomon.
Days of special remembrance of the dead in Orthodoxy
In addition to the Akathist about the repose of all the departed, the psalm “Immaculate” is a universal text for all memorial days, including parental Saturdays. There are nine of these in Orthodoxy. They are designated by the name of the people closest to each person - parents.
These are the days when you should remember the dead, order services (in advance, preferably in the evening, especially if you cannot attend the funeral service), and pray at home:
- Ecumenical: Trinity (before the Holy Trinity) and Meat Eating (a week before Lent);
- on the pre-Easter Pentecost: sixth day of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks;
- private: nine days after Easter Sunday - Radunitsa;
- Day of Remembrance of Orthodox Soldiers - September 11;
- Demetrius Saturday before the eighth of November - the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica;
- Commemoration of those killed in the Great Patriotic War on the day of the Great Victory.
It is very convenient to purchase an Orthodox calendar for the coming year; all fasts, days of remembrance of the dead, all holidays and much more are indicated there.
