Matins

The morning service of psalms, canons, and praises, culminating in the Great Doxology.

The Beginning

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (Thrice)

O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. (Twice)

The Six Psalms

Psalms 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, and 142 are read while all stand in silence and attention.

Psalm 3

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise against me. Many one there be that say of my soul, There is no help for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my defender; Thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head. I did call upon the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill.

I laid me down and slept, and rose up again; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people, that have set themselves against me round about. Up, Lord, and help me, O my God! For Thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.

I will lay me down in peace and take my rest; for it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 37

Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in Thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy heavy displeasure. For Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand presseth me sore. There is no health in my flesh, because of Thy displeasure; neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin. For my wickednesses are gone over my head, and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.

My wounds stink, and are corrupt, through my foolishness. I am brought into so great trouble and misery, that I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a sore disease, and there is no whole part in my body. I am feeble and sore smitten; I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart. Lord, Thou knowest all my desire; and my groaning is not hid from Thee.

My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me, and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me. My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble, and my kinsmen stood afar off. They also that sought after my life laid snares for me; and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness, and imagined deceit all the day long.

As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not; and as one that is dumb, who doth not open his mouth. I became even as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.

I have required that they, even mine enemies, should not triumph over me; for when my foot slipt, they rejoiced greatly against me. And I truly am set in the plague, and my heaviness is ever in my sight. For I will confess my wickedness, and be sorry for my sin.

But mine enemies live, and are mighty; and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number. They also that reward evil for good are against me, because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O Lord my God; be not Thou far from me. Haste Thee to help me, O Lord God of my salvation.

Psalm 62

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee. My soul thirsteth for Thee; my flesh also longeth after Thee, in a barren and dry land where no water is. Thus have I looked for Thee in holiness, that I might behold Thy power and glory. For Thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself; my lips shall praise Thee.

As long as I live will I magnify Thee in this manner, and lift up my hands in Thy Name. My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness, when my mouth praiseth Thee with joyful lips. Have I not remembered Thee in my bed, and thought upon Thee when I was waking? Because Thou hast been my helper; therefore under the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hangeth upon Thee; Thy right hand hath upholden me.

These also that seek the hurt of my soul, they shall go under the earth. Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, that they may be a portion for foxes. But the King shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by Him shall be commended; for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

In the night watches have I trusted in Thee; for Thou hast been my helper, and under the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul cleaveth unto Thee; and Thy right hand shall uphold me.

Psalm 87

O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee; O let my prayer enter into Thy presence, incline Thine ear unto my calling; for my soul is full of trouble, and my life draweth nigh unto hell. I am counted as one of them that go down into the pit, and I have been even as a man that hath no strength.

Free among the dead, like unto them that are wounded, and lie in the grave, who are out of remembrance, and are cut away from Thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in a place of darkness, and in the deep. Thine indignation lieth hard upon me, and Thou hast vexed me with all Thy storms. Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me, and made me to be abhorred of them. I am so fast in prison that I cannot get forth.

My sight faileth for very trouble; Lord, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched forth my hands unto Thee. Dost Thou show wonders among the dead? Or shall the dead rise up again, and praise Thee? Shall Thy loving-kindness be showed in the grave? Or Thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall Thy wondrous works be known in the dark? And Thy righteousness in the land where all things are forgotten?

Unto Thee have I cried, O Lord; and early shall my prayer come before Thee. Lord, why abhorrest Thou my soul, and hidest Thou Thy face from me? I am in misery, and like unto him that is at the point to die; even from my youth up Thy terrors have I suffered with a troubled mind. Thy wrathful displeasure goeth over me, and the fear of Thee hath undone me.

They came round about me daily like water, and compassed me together on every side. My lovers and friends hast Thou put away from me, and hid mine acquaintance out of my sight. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee; O let my prayer enter into Thy presence, incline Thine ear unto my calling.

Psalm 102

Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, making thee young and lusty as an eagle.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all them that are oppressed with wrong. He showed His ways unto Moses, His works unto the children of Israel. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, and of great goodness. He will not alway be chiding; neither keepeth He His anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.

For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth; so great is His mercy also toward them that fear Him. Look how wide also the east is from the west; so far hath He set our sins from us. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children; even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear Him. For He knoweth whereof we are made; He remembereth that we are but dust.

The days of man are but as grass; for he flourisheth as a flower of the field. For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear Him; and His righteousness upon children's children; even upon such as keep His covenant, and think upon His commandments to do them.

The Lord hath prepared His seat in heaven, and His kingdom ruleth over all. O praise the Lord, ye angels of His, ye that excel in strength; ye that fulfil His commandment, and hearken unto the voice of His word. O praise the Lord, all ye His hosts; ye servants of His that do His pleasure. O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of His, in all places of His dominion; praise thou the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 142

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire; hearken unto me for Thy truth and righteousness' sake. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.

Therefore is my spirit vexed within me, and my heart within me is desolate. Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all Thy works; yea, I exercise myself in the works of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul gaspeth unto Thee as a thirsty land.

Hear me, O Lord, and that soon; for my spirit waxeth faint; hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. O let me hear Thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning; for in Thee is my trust; show Thou me the way that I should walk in; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; for I flee unto Thee to hide me.

Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee; for Thou art my God; let Thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy Name's sake; and for Thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of Thy goodness slay mine enemies, and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am Thy servant.

Hearken unto me in Thy righteousness, O Lord, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant. (Twice) Thy gracious Spirit shall direct my paths upon earth.

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)

The Great Litany

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our father and bishop (Name), for the honourable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this land, its authorities, and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For seasonable weather, for the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For travellers by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives; and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another, and all our life, unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honour, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

God Is the Lord

Deacon: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.

The troparia of the resurrection or of the feast are sung, with the appointed kathismata of the Psalter.

The Little Litany

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

The Resurrection Gospel

On Sundays, after the Polyeleos and the Evlogitaria, one of the eleven resurrection Gospels is read.

Deacon: Wisdom! Aright! Let us hear the holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be unto all. The reading from the holy Gospel according to (Name).

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee; we call upon Thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us venerate Christ's holy Resurrection; for behold, through the Cross joy hath come unto all the world.

Psalm 50

Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness; according to the multitude of Thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me.

Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be justified in Thy saying, and clear when Thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. But lo, Thou requirest truth in the inward parts, and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.

Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds.

Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. O give me the comfort of Thy help again, and stablish me with Thy free Spirit.

Then shall I teach Thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show Thy praise.

For Thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it Thee; but Thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise. O be favourable and gracious unto Sion; build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt offerings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon Thine altar.

The Canon

The canons of the day are sung, ode by ode. At the ninth ode the Magnificat is chanted:

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Refrain: More honourable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify thee.

The Little Litany

Deacon: Again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

The Praises

Let every breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights. To Thee is due praise, O God.

The stichera at the praises are sung, with their verses, ending with the doxasticon and the theotokion.

The Great Doxology

Glory to Thee Who hast shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory.

O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name unto the ages. Amen.

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.

The Augmented Litany

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.