Read the texts of main Russian Orthodox services, such as Matins.

The Six Psalms

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men (thrice).O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise (twice).

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, 0 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, 0 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 laid me down and slept, and rose up again; for the Lord sustained me.

Psalm 37

Put me not to rebuke, 0 Lord, in Thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy heavy displeasure. For Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand press-eth 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, 0 Lord, have I put my trust; Thou shalt answer for me, 0 Lord my God. I have required that they, even mine enemies, should not triumph over me; for when myfootslipt, 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; 0 Lord my God; be not Thou far from me. Haste Thee to Kelp me, 0 Lord God of my salvation.

Psalm 62

0 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.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, o God (thrice, without bows).

Psalm 87

0 Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee: Olet 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 rny hands unto Thee. Dost Thou show wonders among the dead? or shall the dead rise up again, and praise tliee? 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, 0 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 gosth 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. 0 Lord God of my salvation I have cried day and night before Thee: 0 let mv prayer enter into Thy presence, incline Thine ear unto my calling.

Psalm 102

Praise the Lord, 0 my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy Name. Praise the Lord, 0 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 satis-fieth 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 forever. 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 remem-bereth 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. 0 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, 0 praise the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye servants of his that do his pleasure. 0 speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: praise Thou the Lord, 0 my soul. In all places of his dominion, praise Thou the Lord, 0 my soul.

Psalm142

Hear my prayer, 0 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, 0 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. 0 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, 0 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, 0 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, 0 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, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, o God (thrice, without bows).