118. Alleluia.

Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that study his revelations: they shall seek him with all their hearts. Those who do not do iniquity walk in His ways. Thou hast commanded that Thy commandments be kept firmly. Oh, that my ways would be directed to keep Thy justifications! Then I would not be ashamed, looking at all Thy commandments. I confess to Thee the righteousness of my heart, learning the judgments of Thy righteousness. I will keep Thy justifications, do not forsake me completely. How will the young man straighten his way? By keeping Thy words. With all my heart I have sought Thee, do not depart me from Thy commandments. In my heart I have hid Thy words, that I may not sin against Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy justifications. With my mouth I have declared all the utterances of Thy mouth. In the way of Thy revelations I have enjoyed as if I were possessing all the riches. Of Thy commandments I will reason, and meditate on Thy ways. I will learn Thy justifications, I will not forget Thy words. Repay Thy servant, revive me, and I will keep Thy words. Open my eyes, and I will understand the wonders of Thy law. I am a stranger on earth, hide not Thy commandments from me. With love at all times my soul desires Thy judgments. Thou hast stopped the proud, cursed are those who deviate from Thy commandments. Take away from me reproach and humiliation, for I have sought thy testimonies. For behold, the princes sat down and slandered me, but Thy servant pondered over Thy justifications. Thy testimonies are a lesson unto me, and my counsellors are thy justifications. My soul is stuck to the earth, revive me according to Thy word. My ways I have declared, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications. Let me understand the way of Thy justifications, and I will meditate on Thy wonders. My soul has slumbered from despondency: strengthen me with Thy words. Remove the way of iniquity from me, and according to Thy law have mercy on me. I have chosen the way of truth, and I have not forgotten Thy judgments. I have cleaved to Thy testimonies, O Lord, shame me not. I walked in the way of Thy commandments when Thou didst enlarge my heart. Make it a law, O Lord, for me to make the way of Thy justifications, and I will seek it always. Teach me, and I will search Thy law, and keep it with all my heart. Guide me in the path of Thy commandments, for I have desired it. Incline my heart to Thy revelations, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes, that I may not see vanity: in Thy way revive me. Set Thy word for Thy servant to fear Thee. Take away from me my reproach, which I have (continually) seen, for Thy judgments are good. Behold, I have desired Thy commandments: by Thy righteousness quicken me. And may Thy mercy come upon me, O Lord, according to Thy word, Thy salvation. And I will give an answer to those who reproach me, for I have trusted in Thy words. Take not the word of truth out of my mouth entirely, for in thy judgments I have trusted. And I will keep thy law always, for ever and ever. And I walked freely, for I have sought Thy commandments. And I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and was not ashamed. And I have learned in Thy commandments, which I have loved greatly. And I stretched out my hands to Thy commandments, which I loved, and meditated on Thy justifications. Remember Thy words to Thy servant, in which Thou hast commanded me to trust. This comforted me in my humiliation, for Thy word quickened me. The proud have transgressed the law to the extreme, but I have not deviated from Thy law. I have remembered Thy judgments from eternity, O Lord, and have been comforted. Sorrow came upon me at the sight of sinners forsaking Thy law. Thy excuses have been songs to me in the place of my pilgrimage. I remembered Thy name by night, O Lord, and kept Thy law. This was with me, for I have sought Thy justifications. My part is You, O Lord; I said, Thou shalt keep thy law. I have prayed before Thee with all my heart: have mercy on me according to Thy word! I have thought of Thy ways, and have turned my feet to Thy testimonies. I have prepared myself to keep Thy commandments without embarrassment. The snares of sinners have entangled me, but I have not forgotten Thy law. At midnight I arose to praise Thee for Thy righteous judgments. I am a companion with all those who fear Thee and keep Thy commandments. The earth is full of Thy mercy, O Lord, teach me Thy justifications. Thou hast done good unto Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word. Teach me goodness, chastisement, and understanding, for I have believed in Thy commandments. I sinned before my humiliation, therefore I keep Thy word. Thou art good, O Lord, and according to Thy goodness teach me Thy justifications. The iniquity of the proud has multiplied against me, but I will enter into Thy commandments with all my heart. Their hearts hardened like milk, but I learned Thy law. It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy justifications. The law of Thy mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver.

Glory:

Thy hands have created me and made me: give me understanding, and I will learn Thy commandments. Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, for I have trusted in your words. I have understood, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that Thou hast justly humbled me. May Thy mercy be a comfort to me, according to Thy word to Thy servant. May Thy mercies come upon me, and I shall live, for Thy law is a teaching to me. Let the proud be ashamed because they have wrongfully committed iniquity against me, but I will meditate on Thy commandments. May those who fear Thee and know Thy revelations turn me. Let my heart be blameless in Thy justifications, that I may not be ashamed. My soul is faint (waiting) for Thy salvation; I have trusted in Thy words. My eyes are faint (waiting) for Thy salvation: when wilt Thou comfort me? For I have become like a fur in the cold; (but) I have not forgotten Thy justifications. How many days are left for Thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment upon me from my persecutors? The transgressors have told me (their) reasoning, but this is not Thy law, O Lord. All Thy commandments are truth, they persecuted me unjustly, help me. They almost destroyed me on earth, but I did not forsake Thy commandments. By Thy mercy revive me, and I will keep the testimony of Thy mouth. Thy word, O Lord, abideth in heaven for ever, Thy truth from generation to generation. You founded the earth, and it endures. According to Thy decree the day endures, for all things serve Thee. If Thy law were not a comfort to me, I would perish in my humiliation. I will never forget Thy justifications, for by them Thou hast quickened me.

[Wednesday:]

I am Thine, save me, for I have sought Thy justifications. Sinners have waited for me to destroy me, (a) I have understood Thy revelations. I have seen the limit of all perfection, (but) Thy commandment is exceedingly wide. How I have loved Thy law, O Lord! Every day he is a lesson to me. By Thy commandment Thou hast made me wiser than my enemies, for it is for my ever. I have become wiser than all my teachers, for Thy revelations are a teaching to me. I have become more versed than the elders, for I have sought Thy commandments! From every evil way I have restrained my feet, that I may keep thy words. I have not turned away from Thy judgments, for Thou hast given me the law. How sweet are Thy words to my throat! Sweeter than honey to my lips. From Thy commandments I have received understanding, wherefore I have hated every way of iniquity. Thy law is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my ways. I have sworn and decreed to keep the judgments of Thy righteousness. I am humbled to the extreme, O Lord, revive me according to Thy word. To the voluntary (vows) of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Thy judgments. My soul is always in Thy hands, and I have not forgotten Thy law. Sinners have laid a snare for me, but I have not deviated from Thy commandments. I have received Thy revelations as an inheritance for ever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to fulfill Thy righteousness for ever, for the sake of recompense. I have hated transgressors, but I have loved Thy law. Thou art my helper and intercessor, in Thy words I have trusted. Depart from me, you wicked ones, and I will learn the commandments of my God. Intercede for me according to Thy word, and I will live, and do not shame me in my hope. Help me, and I will be saved, and I will learn Thy justifications. Thou hast despised all those who depart from Thy righteousness, for their thoughts are unrighteous. I have recognized all the sinners of the earth as transgressors, therefore I have loved Thy revelations. Nail my flesh to Thy fear, for I have feared Thy judgments. I have done justice and righteousness, deliver me not to those who despitefully use me. Protect thy servant for good, lest the proud slander me. My eyes are faint (waiting) for Thy salvation and the word of Thy righteousness. Do with Thy servant according to Thy mercy and teach me Thy justifications. I am Thy servant: teach me, and I will know Thy revelations. It is time for the Lord to act: they have destroyed Thy law. But I have loved Thy commandments more than gold and topaz. Therefore I have been directed to all Thy commandments, and I have hated every way of iniquity. Wondrous are Thy revelations, wherefore my soul has deepened in them. The manifestation of Thy words enlightens and admonishes infants. I have opened my mouth, and have drawn the Spirit into me, for I have desired Thy commandments.

Glory:

Look upon me and have mercy on me, as you do to those who love Your name. Direct my steps according to Thy word, and let not all iniquity possess me. Deliver me from the slander of men, and I will keep Thy commandments. Shine Thy face upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy justifications. Fountains of water have brought forth my eyes, for I have not kept Thy law. Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and Thy judgments are just. In Thy revelations Thou hast commanded righteousness and perfect truth. My zeal for Thee has faded away, for my enemies have forgotten Thy words. Thy word is very fervent, and Thy servant has loved it. I am young and despised, (but) I have not forgotten Thy justifications. Thy righteousness is righteousness for ever, and thy law is truth. Sorrows and needs have come upon me, Thy commandments are my consolation. Thy testimonies are righteousness for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live. I cried out with all my heart, Hear me, O Lord! I will seek Thy justifications. I cried out to Thee, Save me! And I will keep thy testimonies. I have gone before in time and cried out, for I have trusted in thy words. My eyes have gone before the morning, to learn Thy words. Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy, revive me according to Thy judgment. Those who persecute me lawlessly have drawn nigh, but they have departed from Thy law. Thou art near, O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth. From the beginning I learned from Thy revelations that Thou hast established them for ever. Look upon my humiliation, and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Thy law. Judge my case and deliver me, for the sake of Thy word revive me. Salvation is far from sinners, for they have not sought Thy justifications. Great are Thy mercies, O Lord: according to Thy judgment revive me. I have many persecutors and oppressors, but I have not deviated from Thy revelations. I have seen foolish men, and I have lamented that they have not kept thy words. Behold, how I have come to love Thy commandments. God! By Thy mercy revive me. The beginning of Thy words is truth, and all the judgments of Thy righteousness endure for ever. Princes persecuted me without fault, but my heart feared Thy words. I will rejoice in Thy words, as one who has found great prey. I have hated unrighteousness and abhorred it, but I have loved Thy law. Seven times in the day I have praised thee for thy righteous judgments. Peace is great with those who love Thy law, and there is no offense to them. I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord, and I have loved Thy commandments. My soul has kept Thy testimonies, and has loved them greatly. I have kept Thy commandments and Thy revelations: for all my ways are before Thee, O Lord. May my prayer draw near to Thee, O Lord, according to Thy word, enlighten me. Let my petition come to Thee, O Lord, according to Thy word, deliver me. My lips shall pour out a song, when Thou hast taught me Thy justifications. My tongue shall declare thy words: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Thy hand be for my salvation, for I have loved Thy commandments. I have desired Thy salvation, O Lord, and Thy law my teaching. My soul shall live, and praise thee, and thy judgments shall help me. I am lost as a lost sheep: seek thy servant, for I have not forgotten thy commandments.

Slava: According to the 17th kathisma. The Trisagion. The same troparia, tone 2: 

I have sinned against Thee, O Saviour, as the prodigal son: receive me, O Father, who repent, and have mercy on me, O God.

Glory: I call unto Thee, O Christ the Saviour, with the voice of the publican: cleanse me as thou didst and have mercy on me, O God. And now: O Theotokos, do not despise me, demanding Thy intercession: for in Thee my soul trusts, and have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy (40) and the prayer:

Hear, O Lord, hearken, O Lover of mankind, cleanse me, O Gracious Mother, and free my accursed soul from the torment of the reigning passions in me. And let not sin contain me, let the demon be able to fight against me, let him lead me to his own will, but by Thy sovereign hand, His dominion, Thou hast conquered me, Thou reign in me, O Good and Loving Lord, and all Thy being, and live for me the rest according to Thy good will. And grant me with the ineffable goodness of my heart purification, the guarding of my lips, the righteousness of my deeds, humble wisdom, peace of thoughts, the silence of my spiritual powers, spiritual joy, true love, longsuffering, kindness, meekness, faith without hypocrisy, self-control, and fill me with all good fruits, by the gift of Thy Holy Spirit. And do not bring me up to the mid-night of my days, and take away my soul uncorrected and unprepared, but complete me with Thy perfection, and thus lead me to the present life, so that I may pass through the beginnings and powers of darkness without hindrance, and by Thy grace I may see the unapproachable goodness of Thy glory, with all Thy saints, in whom I may be sanctified, and glorify Thy all-honorable and glorious name, The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages, Amen.

Kathisma osmayanaten