Kathisma 17

THE SEVENTEENTH KATHISMA

Psalm 118

Alleluia.

Blessed are they that are blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that search out His testimonies; they shall seek Him with their whole heart.
For they that work iniquity have not walked in His ways.
Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy commandments most diligently.
O that my ways may be directed to keep Thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments.
I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of Thy righteousness.
I will keep Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.
Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? by keeping Thy words.
With my whole heart have I sought Thee; cast me not away from Thy commandments.
Thy words have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of Thy mouth.
I have had delight in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate in Thy commandments, and understand Thy ways.
I will meditate in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy words.
Give recompense unto Thy servant; quicken Thou me, and I shall keep Thy words.
Uncover Thou mine eyes, and I shall behold wondrous things out of Thy law.

I am a sojourner upon the earth; hide not Thy commandments from me.
My soul hath longed to desire Thy judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud; cursed are they which do err from Thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have sought Thy testimonies.
For princes did sit and speak against me, but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes.
For Thy testimonies are my meditation, and Thy statutes are my counsels.
My soul hath cleaved unto the ground; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
I have declared my ways, and Thou heardest me; teach me Thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of Thy statutes, and I will meditate upon Thy wondrous works.
My soul hath slumbered for heaviness; strengthen Thou me in Thy words.
Remove from me the way of unrighteousness, and have mercy upon me with Thy law.
I have chosen the way of truth, and have not forgotten Thy judgments.
I have cleaved unto Thy testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame.
I have run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou didst enlarge my heart.
Set before me for a law, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes; and I shall seek it out continually.
Give me understanding, and I shall search Thy law; yea, I will observe it with my whole heart.
Guide me in the path of Thy commandments, for I have longed for it.
Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes, that I behold not vanity; quicken Thou me in Thy way.
Stablish Thy word unto Thy servant, in fear of Thee.
Take away my reproach, which I have feared, for Thy judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed after Thy commanments; quicken me in Thy righteousness.

Let Thy mercy come also upon me, O Lord, even Thy salvation according to Thy word.
So shall I make answer to them that reproach me, for I have hoped in Thy words.
And take not Thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Thy judgments.
So shall I keep Thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I walked at liberty, for I sought Thy commandments.
I spake of Thy testimonies also before kings, and was not ashamed.
And I meditated in Thy commandments, which I have greatly loved.
My hands also have I lifted up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I meditated in Thy statutes.
Remember Thy words unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope.
This hath comforted me in my humiliation, for Thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have transgressed exceedingly, yet have I not declined from Thy law.
I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord, and was comforted.
Despondency hath taken hold upon me, because of the sinners who forsake Thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the place of my sojourning.
I have remembered Thy name, in the night, O Lord, and have kept Thy law.
This happened to me, because I diligently sought Thy statutes. Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Thy law.
I entreated Thy face with my whole heart; have mercy upon me according to Thy word.
I have thought on Thy ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
I made ready, and was not troubled, that I might keep Thy commandments.
The cords of sinners have compassed me, but I have not forgotten Thy law.
At midnight I rose to give thanks unto Thee, because of the judgments of Thy righteousness.

I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy statutes.
The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.
Thou hast dealt graciously with Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word.
Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge, for I have believed Thy commandments.
Before I was humbled, I went astray; therefore have I kept Thy word.
Thou art good, O Lord, and in Thy goodness teach me Thy statutes.
The unrighteousness of the proud is multiplied against me, but I will search Thy commandments with my whole heart.
Their heart is curdled like milk, but I have meditated in Thy law.
It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me, that I might learn Thy statutes.
The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; O give me understanding, and I shall learn Thy commandments.
They that fear Thee shall see me, and be glad; for I have hoped in Thy words.
I have known, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and with truth Thou hast humbled me.
O let Thy mercy now be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant.
Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live; for Thy law is my meditation.

Let the proud be ashamed, for they have transgressed against me unjustly; but I will meditate in Thy commandments.
Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and those that know Thy testimonies.
Let my heart be blameless in Thy statutes, that I be not ashamed.
My soul fainteth for Thy salvation; I have hoped in Thy words.
Mine eyes have failed with waiting for Thy word, saying, O when wilt Thou comfort me? For I am become like a wineskin in the frost, yet I have not forgotten Thy statutes.
How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment for me on them that persecute me? Transgressors have told me idle tales, but they are not after Thy law, O Lord.
All Thy commandments are truth: they have persecuted me wrongfully; help Thou me.
They had almost made an end of me upon earth, but I forsook not Thy commandments.
Quicken me according to Thy mercy, and I will keep the testimonies of Thy mouth.
For ever, O Lord, Thy word endureth in heaven.
Thy truth is from generation to generation; Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
The day continueth according to Thine ordinance; for all things are Thy servants.
If Thy law had not been my meditation, then I should have perished in my humiliation.
I will never forget Thy statutes, for in them Thou hast quickened me.

MIDDLE

I am Thine, O save me; for I have sought Thy statutes.
Sinners have waited for me to destroy me, but I have understood Thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection; Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
O how have I loved Thy law, O Lord! It is my meditation all the day long.

Thou through Thy commandment hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for it is mine for ever.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation.
I have more understanding than mine elders, because I sought Thy commandments.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy words.
I have not departed from Thy judgments, for Thou hast appointed a law for me.
How sweet are Thy words unto my throat! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
From Thy commandments have I gained understanding; therefore I have hated every unrighteous way.
Thy law is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my paths.
I have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed, that I will keep the judgments of Thy righteousness.
I have been humbled very much; quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy word.
Be pleased with the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Thy judgments.
My soul is continually in Thy hands, yet I have not forgotten Thy law.
Sinners have laid a snare for me, yet I erred not from Thy commandments.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever, for they are the joy of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes for ever, for a recompense.
I have hated transgressors, but Thy law have I loved.
Thou art my helper and defender; I have hoped in Thy words. Depart from me, ye evildoers, and I will search out the commandments of my God.
Hold Thou me up according to Thy word, and quicken me; and turn me not away in shame from mine expectation.
Help me, and I shall be saved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes continually.
Thou hast despised all them that depart from Thy statutes, for their inward thought is unrighteous.
I have accounted as transgressors all the sinners of the earth; therefore have I loved Thy testimonies.

Nail down my flesh with the fear of Thee, for I am afraid of Thy judgments.
I have done judgment and justice; give me not over unto them that wrong me.
Receive Thy servant unto good; let not the proud accuse me falsely.
Mine eyes have failed with waiting for Thy salvation, and for the word of Thy righteousness.
Deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
I am Thy servant; give me understanding, and I shall know Thy testimonies.
It is time for the Lord to act, for they have made void Thy law.
Therefore have I loved Thy commandments above gold and topaz.
Therefore have I directed myself according to all Thy commandments; I have hated every unrighteous way.
Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore hath my soul sought them.
The unfolding of Thy words shall give light and understanding unto infants.
I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; for I longed for Thy commandments.

Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, according to the judgment of them that love Thy name.
Order my steps according to Thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the false accusation of men, and I will keep Thy commandments.

Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes.
Mine eyes have sent forth streams of waters, because I kept not Thy law.
Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are very righteousness and truth.
My zeal for Thee hath made me to pine away, because mine enemies have forgotten Thy words.
Thy word hath been tried in the fire to the uttermost, and Thy servant hath loved it.
I am young and despised, yet have I not forgotten Thy statutes.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth.
Troubles and anguish are come upon me, yet Thy commandments are my meditation.
Thy testimonies are righteousness for ever; give me understanding, and I shall live.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord, and I shall seek Thy statutes.
I cried unto Thee; save me, and I shall keep Thy testimonies. I arose before the dawn, and cried; I hoped in Thy words. Mine eyes awoke before the morning, that I might meditate in Thy words.
Hear my voice according to Thy mercy, O Lord; quicken me according to Thy judgment.
They have drawn nigh that persecute me unlawfully; they are far from Thy law.
Thou art near, O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth. Concerning Thy testimonies have I known of old that Thou hast founded them for ever.
Consider my humiliation, and deliver me; for I have not forgotten Thy law.
Judge Thou my cause, and redeem me; quicken me for Thy word’s sake.
Salvation is far from sinners, for they have not sought Thy statutes.
Many are Thy tender mercies, O Lord; quicken me according to Thy judgment.
Many are they that persecute me and afflict me, yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies.

I beheld men acting foolishly, and pined away; because they kept not Thy words.
Behold how I have loved Thy commandments; quicken me, O Lord, in Thy mercy.
The beginning of Thy words is truth, and all the judgments of Thy righteousness endure for ever.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause, and my heart hath been afraid because of Thy words.
I will rejoice at Thy words, as one that findeth great spoil.
I have hated and abhorred unrightousness, but Thy law have I loved.
Seven times a day have I praised Thee because of the judgments of Thy righteousness.
Much peace have they that love Thy law, and for them there is no stumbling block.
Lord, I have awaited Thy salvation, and loved Thy commandments.
My soul hath kept Thy testimonies, and loved them exceedingly.
I have kept Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, for all my ways are before Thee, O Lord.
Let my supplication come near before Thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to Thy word.
Let my petition come before Thee, O Lord; deliver me according to Thy word.
My lips shall pour forth an hymn when Thou hast taught me Thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Thy words, for all Thy commandments are righteousness.
Let Thy hand be near to save me, for I have chosen Thy commandments.
I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord; and Thy law is my meditation.
My soul shall live, and shall praise Thee; and Thy judgments shall help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy commandments.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.