The Seventeenth Kathisma

Antiphon One

Psalm 119(118)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antiphon Two

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia:

Antiphon Three

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glory: Both now:
Alleluia: