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:

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