Middle of Night

I. Aleph

They are happy whose life is blameless,

who follow God’s law!

They are happy who do his will,

seeking him with all their hearts,

who never do anything evil

but walk in his ways.

You have laid down your precepts

to be obeyed with care.

May my footsteps be firm

to obey your statutes.

Then I shall not be put to shame

as I heed your commands.

I will thank you with an upright heart

as I learn your decrees.

I will obey your statutes;

do not forsake me.

II. Beth

How shall the young remain sinless?

By obeying your word.

I have sought you with all my heart;

let me not stray from your commands.

I treasure your promise in my heart

lest I sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes.

With my tongue I have recounted

the decrees of your lips.

I rejoiced to do your will

as though all riches were mine.

I will ponder all your precepts

and consider your paths.

I take delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

III. Gimmel

Bless your servant and I shall live

and obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth;

show me your commands.

My soul is ever consumed

as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed,

who turn from your commands.

Relieve me from scorn and contempt

for I do your will.

Though the princes sit plotting against me

I ponder on your statutes.

Your will is my delight;

your statutes are my counselors.

IV. Daleth

My soul lies in the dust;

by your will revive me.

I declared my ways and you answered;

teach me your statutes.

Make me grasp the way of your precepts

and I will muse on your wonders.

My soul pines away with grief;

by your word raise me up.

Keep me from the way of error

and teach me your law.

I have chosen the way of truth

with your decrees before me.

I bind myself to do your will;

Lord, do not disappoint me.

I will run the way of your commands;

you give freedom to my heart.

V. He

Teach me the demands of your statutes

and I will keep them to the end.

Train me to observe your law,

to keep it with my heart.

Guide me in the path of your commands;

for there is my delight.

Bend my heart to your will

and not to love of gain.

Keep my eyes from what is false;

by your word, give me life.

Keep the promise you have made

to the servant who fears you.

Keep me from the scorn I dread,

for your decrees are good.

See, I long for your precepts;

then in your justice, give me life.

VI. Vau

Lord, let your love come upon me,

the saving help of your promise.

And I shall answer those who taunt me

for I trust in your word.

Do not take the word of truth from my mouth

for I trust in your decrees.

I shall always keep your law

for ever and ever.

I shall walk in the path of freedom

for I seek your precepts.

I will speak of your will before kings

and not be abashed.

Your commands have been my delight;

these I have loved.

I will worship your commands and love them

and ponder your statutes.

VII. Zayin

Remember your word to your servant

by which you gave me hope.

This is my comfort in sorrow:

that your promise gives me life.

Though the proud may utterly deride me

I keep to your law.

I remember your decrees of old

and these, Lord, console me.

I am seized with indignation at the wicked

who forsake your law.

Your statutes have become my song

in the land of exile.

I think of your name in the nighttime

and I keep your law.

This has been my blessing,

the keeping of your precepts.

VIII. Heth

My part, I have resolved, O Lord,

is to obey your word.

With all my heart I implore your favor;

show the mercy of your promise.

I have pondered over many ways

and returned to your will.

I made haste and did not delay

to obey your commands.

Though the nets of the wicked ensnared me

I remembered your law.

At midnight I will rise and thank you

for your just decrees.

I am a friend of all who revere you,

who obey your precepts.

Lord, your love fills the earth.

Teach me your statutes.

IX. Teth

Lord, you have been good to your servant

according to your word.

Teach me discernment and knowledge

for I trust in your commands.

Before I was afflicted I strayed

but now I keep your word.

You are good and your deeds are good;

teach me your statutes.

Though proud men smear me with lies

yet I keep your precepts.

Their minds are closed to good

but your law is my delight.

It was good for me to be afflicted,

to learn your statutes.

The law from your mouth means more to me

than silver and gold.

X. Yod

It was your hands that made me and shaped me:

help me to learn your commands.

Your faithful will see me and rejoice

for I trust in your word.

Lord, I know that your decrees are right,

that you afflicted me justly.

Let your love be ready to console me

by your promise to your servant.

Let your love come and I shall live

for your law is my delight.

Shame the proud who harm me with lies

while I ponder your precepts.

Let your faithful turn to me,

those who know your will.

Let my heart be blameless in your statutes

lest I be ashamed.

XI. Caph

I yearn for your saving help;

I hope in your word.

My eyes yearn to see your promise.

When will you console me

Though parched and exhausted with waiting

I remember your statutes.

How long must your servant suffer?

When will you judge my foes?

For me the proud have dug pitfalls,

against your law.

Your commands are all true; then help me

when lies oppress me.

They almost made an end of me on earth,

but I kept your precepts.

Because of your love give me life

and I will do your will.

XII. Lamed

Your word, O Lord, for ever

stands firm in the heavens:

your truth lasts from age to age,

like the earth you created.

By your decree it endures to this day;

for all things serve you.

Had your law not been my delight

I would have died in my affliction.

I will never forget your precepts

for with them you give me life.

Save me, for I am yours

since I seek your precepts.

Though the wicked lie in wait to destroy me

yet I ponder your will.

I have seen that all perfection has an end

but your command is boundless.

XIII. Mem

Lord, how I love your law!

It is ever in my mind.

Your command makes me wiser than my foes;

for it is mine for ever.

I have more insight than all who teach me

for I ponder your will.

I have more understanding than the old

for I keep your precepts.

I turn my feet from evil paths

to obey your word.

I have not turned from your decrees;

you yourself have taught me.

Your promise is sweeter to my taste

than honey in the mouth.

I gain understanding from your precepts

and so I hate false ways.

XIV. Nun

Your word is a lamp for my steps

and a light for my path.

I have sworn and have made up my mind

to obey your decrees.

Lord, I am deeply afflicted;

by your word give me life.

Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips

and teach me your decrees.

Though I carry my life in my hands,

I remember your law.

Though the wicked try to ensnare me,

I do not stray from your precepts.

Your will is my heritage for ever,

the joy of my heart.

I set myself to carry out your statutes

in fullness, for ever.

XV. Samech

I have no love for half-hearted men;

my love is for your law.

You are my shelter, my shield;

I hope in your word.

Leave me, you who do evil;

I will keep God’s command.

If you uphold me by your promise I shall live;

let my hopes not be in vain.

Sustain me and I shall be saved

and ever observe your statutes.

You spurn all who swerve from your statutes;

their cunning is in vain.

You throw away the wicked like dross;

so I love your will.

I tremble before you in terror;

I fear your decrees.

XVI. Ayin

I have done what is right and just:

let me not be oppressed.

Vouch for the welfare of your servant

lest the proud oppress me.

My eyes yearn for your saving help

and the promise of your justice.

Treat your servant with love

and teach me your statutes.

I am your servant, give me knowledge;

then I shall know your will.

It is time for the Lord to act

for your law has been broken.

That is why I love your commands

more than finest gold,

why I rule my life by your precepts,

and hate false ways.

Your will is wonderful indeed;

therefore I obey it.

The unfolding of your word gives light

and teaches the simple.

I open my mouth and I sigh

as I yearn for your commands.

Turn and show me your mercy;

show justice to your friends.

Let my steps be guided by your promise;

let no evil rule me.

Redeem me from man’s oppression

and I will keep your precepts.

Let your face shine on your servant

and teach me your decrees.

Tears stream from my eyes

because your law is disobeyed.

Lord, you are just indeed;

your decrees are right.

You have imposed your will with justice

and with absolute truth.

I am carried away by anger

for my foes forget your word.

Your promise is tried in the fire,

the delight of your servant.

Although I am weak and despised,

I remember your precepts.

Your justice is eternal justice

and your law is truth.

Though anguish and distress have seized me,

I delight in your commands.

The justice of your will is eternal:

if you teach me I shall live.

I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me,

I will keep your statutes.

I call upon you, save me

and I will do your will.

I rise before dawn and cry for help,

I hope in your word.

My eyes watch through the night

to ponder your promise.

In your love hear my voice, O Lord;

give me life by your decrees.

Those who harm me unjustly draw near;

they are far from your law.

But you, O Lord, are close,

your commands are truth.

Long have I known that your will

is established for ever.

See my affliction and save me

for I remember your law.

Uphold my cause and defend me;

by your promise, give me life.

Salvation is far from the wicked

who are heedless of your statutes.

Numberless, Lord, are your mercies;

with your decrees give me life.

Though my foes and oppressors are countless

I have not swerved from your will.

I look at the faithless with disgust;

they ignore your promise.

See how I love your precepts;

in your mercy give me life.

Your word is founded on truth,

your decrees are eternal.

Though princes oppress me without cause

I stand in awe of your word.

I take delight in your promise

like one who finds a treasure.

Lies I hate and detest

but your law is my love.

Seven times a day I praise you

for your just decrees.

The lovers of your law have great peace;

they never stumble.

I await your saving help,

O Lord, I fulfill your commands.

My soul obeys your will

and loves it dearly.

I obey your precepts and your will;

all that I do is before you.

Lord, let my cry come before you:

teach me by your word.

Let my pleading come before you:

save me by your promise.

Let my lips proclaim your praise

because you teach me your statutes.

Let my tongue sing your promise

for your commands are just.

Let your hand be ready to help me,

since I have chosen your precepts.

Lord, I long for your saving help

and your law is my delight.

Give life to my soul that I may praise you.

Let your decrees give me help.

I am lost like a sheep; seek your servant

for I remember your commands.

Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night. Blessed is the servant He shall find awake, but the one He shall find neglectful will not be worthy of Him. Beware, therefore, O my soul! Do not fall into a deep slumber, lest you be delivered to death and the door of the Kingdom be closed to you. Watch, instead, and cry out: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God. Through the intercession of the Theotokos, have mercy on Us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...

Be alert, O my soul, as you think of that awesome day! Light your lamp and keep it filled with oil, for you do not know the hour in which the cry will come: "Behold the Bridegroom!" Beware that you do not fall back to sleep, O my soul, and wake up on the outside, like those five virgins. But watch constantly and you will see Christ! He will lead you to the banquet hall of His glory.

... now and ever and forever. Amen.

O Virgin Theotokos, fortress of salvation and invincible wall, we pray to you: confound the enemies' counsels, turn your people's sorrow to joy, protect your city. Strengthen the government, and pray for peace in the world, for you are our hope, O Theotokos.

Lord have mercy. x3

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help is from the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

May He never allow you to stumble!
Let Him sleep not, your guard.
No, He sleeps not nor stumbles,
Israel's guard.

The Lord is your guard and your shade;
on your right hand He stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you
nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil,
He will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming
both now and for ever.

O come, bless the Lord,
all you who serve the Lord,
Who stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord through the night.

May the Lord bless you from Zion,
He who made both heaven and earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...

With the saints, O Christ, give rest to Your servants where there is no pain, sorrow, nor mourning, but life everlasting.

... now and ever and forever. Amen.

All generations call you blessed, O Virgin Theotokos, for Christ our God, the Uncontainable, willed to be contained in you. We also are blessed having you as a mediatrix, for day and night you pray for us. The authority of governments is upheld through your prayers. Therefore, with hymns we cry out to you: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Lord have mercy. x12

O Lord, remember our departed fathers and brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life and all who have been made perfect in piety and faith, and forgive them all their sins voluntary or involuntary, by word, deed, or thought. Let their dwelling place be a place of light, joy, and peace, where there is no pain, sorrow, nor mourning, where the light of Your countenance shines forth and gladdens all Your saints from the ages. Bestow Your kingdom upon them and upon us. Grant that we may share the good things of eternity, those delights which words cannot describe, the delights of eternal happiness. For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servants, O Christ our God, and we give glory to You with Your eternal Father, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.