The Order for Reading the Psalter
Before beginning the reading, the one who prays first reads the opening prayers:
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things with Thy grace, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One. *
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release us from our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
Fellow-struggler of the servants of the Word of God, continuation of Andrew’s preaching, enlightener of the Georgians and harp of the Holy Spirit, O mother Nino, entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls.
Liberator of captives, helper of the poor, physician of the sick, invincible champion of kings, O victorious great-martyr George, entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls.
A rule of faith, an image of meekness and a teacher of abstinence did Christ show thee in truth to thy flock; therefore thou didst gain the heights by humility and riches by poverty, O holy hierarch Nicholas: entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls.
Then one goes straight on to the kathisma. Some psalms end with “Glory”; here the one who prays says:
Glory 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 (Thrice).
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord Almighty, King of hosts, remember in Thy kingdom, save, bless and unite in the Orthodox Church our God-protected people and all Georgia; by Thy Spirit exalt it, strengthen, establish and increase it, fill it with every good thing, guard its borders, and subdue under its feet all its enemies and adversaries, that we may lead a peaceful life, living in right faith and godliness (prostration).
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our great lord, the Most Holy and Most Blessed Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, our father Ilia; on the holy Orthodox patriarchs of the world, the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, the honourable priests, the deacons in Christ and all the monastic orders, the members of the Church, whom Thou hast set to shepherd Thy rational flock; and through their prayers have mercy on me also, a sinner, and save me (prostration).
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Thy servants and handmaids: (names).
Give rest, O Christ God, to the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids: (names). Give them rest where the light of Thy countenance shineth, where there is no pain, sorrow or sighing, but joy and life without end; forgive them all their sins and grant them eternal memory (prostration).
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
