The Psalter has been called the prayer-book of the Church, and is used more in the Church's services than any other book of Holy Scripture. Many of the Desert Fathers made the Psalter their entire rule of prayer, and could recite all of it from memory. Even today, some devout Christians follow their example.
Below is an attempt to list some of the ways that the psalms are used in the Church's services. All Psalm references use the numbering in the Septuagint (LXX) version used throughout the Orthodox Church. See the contents list for a table showing the correspondence between the Septuagint and the Hebrew/King James numbering.
- Contents
Psalms Chanted in the Services
This section comprises psalms that are used in their entirety (or almost in their entirety) in the services.
Kathisma I (Pss 1-8)
- 1, Blessed is the man
- 1st Kathisma at Saturday Vespers and at vigils
- 2, Why have the heathen raged
- First Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- 3, O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me?
- Matins, Six Psalms #1
- 4, When I called upon Thee, O God of my righteousness
- Great Compline, Lent
- 5, Unto my words give ear, O Lord; hear my cry
- First Hour
- First Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- First Royal Hour, Nativity and Theophany
- 6, O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in thy wrath
- Great Compline, Lent
Kathisma II (Pss 9-16)
- 12, How long, O Lord, wilt Thou utterly forget me?
- Great Compline, Lent
- 16, Hearken, O Lord, unto my righteousness, attend unto my supplication
- Third Hour
Kathisma III (Pss 17-23)
- 19, The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction
- Matins, Royal Psalms
- 20, O Lord, in Thy strength the king shall be glad
- Matins, Royal Psalms
- 21, O God, my God, attend to me; why hast Thou forsaken me?
- First Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- 22, The Lord is my shepherd
- Preparation for Holy Communion
- Consecration of a church
- First Royal Hour, Theophany
- 23, The earth is the Lord's
- Preparation for Holy Communion
Kathisma IV (Pss 24-31)
- 24, Unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul
- Great Compline, Lent
- Third Hour
- 25, Judge me, O Lord, for in mine innocence have I walked
- Consecration of a church
- 26, The Lord is my light and my saviour; whom then shall I fear?
- First Royal Hour, Theophany
- 28, Bring unto the Lord, ye sons of God, bring unto the Lord the sons of rams
- Third Royal Hour, Theophany
- 29, I will exalt Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me
- Mid-hour of Third Hour
- 30, In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me not be put to shame
- Great Compline, Lent
- 31, Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven
- Mid-hour of Third Hour
- Holy Baptism
Kathisma V (Pss 32-36)
- 33, I will bless the Lord at all times
- Typica
- Divine Liturgy
- Service for the Reception into Orthodoxy of non-Christians
- 34, Judge, them, O Lord, that do me injustice
- Third Royal Hour, Holy Friday
Kathisma VI (Pss 37-45)
- 37, O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in thy wrath
- Matins, Six Psalms #2
- 41, As the hart panteth after the fountains of water
- Third Royal Hour, Theophany
- 44, My heart hath poured forth a good word
- Matins (Polyeleos on Feasts of the Theotokos)
- First Royal Hour, Nativity
- 45, Our God is refuge and strength
- Mid-hour of First Hour
- First Royal Hour, Nativity
Kathisma VII (Pss 46-54)
- 50, Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy
- Great Compline, Lent
- Small Compline
- Midnight Office
- Matins
- Third Hour
- Third Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- Third Royal Hour, Nativity and Theophany
- Divine Liturgy (priest's prayer)
- Unction Services
- Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos
- Preparation for Holy Communion
- Service for the Parting of the Soul from the Body
- 53, O God, in Thy name save me, and in Thy strength do Thou judge me
- Sixth Hour
- Sixth Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- 54, Give ear, O God, unto my prayer, and disdain not my supplication
- Sixth Hour
Kathisma VIII (Pss 55-63)
- 55, Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me down all the day long
- Mid-hour of Sixth Hour
- 56, Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for my soul trusted in Thee
- Mid-hour of Sixth Hour
- 60, Hearken, O God, unto my supplication; attend unto my prayer
- Mid-hour of Third Hour
- 62, O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn
- Matins, Six Psalms #3
Kathisma IX (Pss 64-69)
- 66, God be gracious unto us and bless us
- Service for the Reception of Converts
- Third Royal Hour, Nativity
- 68, Save me, O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul
- Ninth Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- 69, O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to help me
- Great Compline, Lent
- Small Compline
- Mid-hour of Sixth Hour
- Ninth Royal Hour, Holy Friday
Kathisma X (Pss 70-76)
- 71, O God, give judgment to the king
- Sixth Royal Hour, Nativity
- 73, O God, why hast Thou cast us off to the end?
- Sixth Royal Hour, Theophany
- 76, With my voice unto the Lord have I cried
- Sixth Royal Hour, Theophany
Kathisma XI (Pss 77-84)
- 83, How beloved are Thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts
- Ninth Hour
- Consecration of a Church
- 84, Thou hast been gracious, O Lord, unto Thy land
- Ninth Hour
Kathisma XII (Pss 85-90)
- 85, Bow down Thine ear,O Lord, and hearken unto me
- Ninth Hour
- Ninth Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- Ninth Royal Hour, Nativity and Theophany
- 86, His foundations are in the holy mountains
- Third Royal Hour, Nativity
- Consecration of a Church
- 87, O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee
- Matins, Six Psalms #4
- 89, Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in generation and generation
- First Hour
- 90, He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High
- Great Compline, Lent
- Sixth Hour
- Burial Service
- Parastas
- Sixth Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- Sixth Royal Hour, Nativity and Theophany
Kathisma XIII (Pss 91-100)
- 91, It is good to give praise unto the Lord
- Mid-hour of First Hour
- Service of Burial of a Priest
- 92, The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty
- Mid-hour of First Hour
- Ninth Royal Hour, Theophany
- 100, Of mercy and judgment will I sing unto Thee, O Lord
- First Hour
Kathisma XIV (Pss 101-104)
- 101, O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee
- Great Compline, Lent
- 102, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name
- Matins, Six Psalms #5
- Typica
- 103, Bless the Lord, O my soul
- Vespers (Sunset Psalm)
Kathisma XV (Pss 105-108)
- 108, O God, my praise do not pass over in silence
- Third Royal Hour, Holy Friday
Kathisma XVI (Pss 109-117)
- 109, The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand
- Ninth Royal Hour, Nativity
- 110, I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart
- Ninth Royal Hour, Nativity
- 112, Praise the Lord, O ye servants
- Mid-hour of Ninth Hour
- 113, When Israel went out of Egypt
- Ninth Royal Hour, Theophany
- 115, I believed, wherefore I spake
- Preparation for Holy Communion
- 116, O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples
- Vespers (Lord, I have cried)
- 117, O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good
- Service of Thanksgiving
Kathisma XVII (Ps 118)
- 118, Blessed are the blameless in the way
- Midnight Office (weekdays)
- Matins (in place of Polyeleos when appointed)
- Burial Service
Kathisma XVIII (Pss 119-133)
- 120, I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh my help
- Midnight Office (weekdays, Saturday)
- 121, I was glad because of them that said unto me
- Service of the Refectory
- 126, Except the Lord build the house, in vain do they labour that build it
- Consecration of a Church
- 127, Blessed are all they that fear the Lord
- Wedding Service
- 129, Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord
- Vespers (Lord, I have cried)
- 131, Remember, O Lord, David and his meekness
- Sixth Royal Hour, Nativity
- Consecration of a Church
- 133, Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord
- Midnight Office (weekdays, Saturday)
Kathisma XIX (Pss 134-142)
- 134, Praise ye the name of the Lord
- Matins (Polyeleos)
- 135, O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good
- Matins (Polyeleos)
- 136, By the waters of Babylon
- Matins (Polyeleos, Sundays before Lent)
- 137, I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart
- Mid-hour of Ninth Hour
- 139, Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man
- Mid-hour of Ninth Hour
- Sixth Royal Hour, Holy Friday
- 140, Lord, I have cried unto Thee; hearken unto me
- Vespers (Lord, I have cried)
- 141, With my voice unto the Lord have I cried
- Vespers (Lord, I have cried)
Kathisma XX (Pss 143-150)
- 142, O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth
- Great Compline, Lent
- Small Compline
- Matins, Six Psalms #6
- Unction Service
- Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos
- Lesser Blessing of Waters
- Consecration of a Church
- 144, I will exalt Thee, O my god, my king
- Consecration of a church
- Service of the Refectory
- 145, Praise the Lord, O my soul
- Typica
- Divine Liturgy, Second Sunday antiphon
- 148, Praise the Lord from the heavens
- Matins, Praises
- 149, Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the church of the saints
- Matins, Praises
- 150, Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power
- Matins, Praises
Psalms in Prokeimenon and Alleluia Verses
| Prokeimenon | Alleluia | |
| The Divine Liturgy | ||
| Sunday Tone 1 | 32:1,2 | 17:47,50 |
| Sunday Tone 2 | 117:14,18 | 19:1,9 |
| Sunday Tone 3 | 46:1,6 | 30:1,2 |
| Sunday Tone 4 | 103:1 | 44:4,7 |
| Sunday Tone 5 | 11:1,7 | 88:1,2 |
| Sunday Tone 6 | 27:1,9 | 90:1,2 |
| Sunday Tone 7 | 28:1,11 | 91:1,2 |
| Sunday Tone 8 | 75:1,11 | 94:1,2 |
| Monday; Holy Angels | 103:1,5 | 148:1,2,5 |
| Tuesday; The Forerunner; a Martyr | 63:1,11 | 91:11,12 |
| Wednesday; The Theotokos | (Magnificat) | 44:9,11 |
| Thursday; Apostle(s), St Nicholas | 18:1,4 | 88:1,5,7 |
| Friday; the Cross | 98:1,5 | 73:2,13 |
| Saturday; all Saints; the Departed | 31:1,11 | 64:4; 101:12 |
| The Forerunner; Any Saint | 63:11 | 91:11,12 |
| Prophet(s) | 109:1,4 | 98:6; 96:12 |
| Hierarch | 48:1,3 | 36:31,32 |
| Hierarchs | 115:3,6 | 131:9,14 |
| Righteous, Fools for Christ | 115:3,6 | 111:1,2 |
| Martyrs | 15:2,8 | 33:17,19 |
| Hieromartyr | 149:1,5 | 131:17,19 |
| Hieromartyrs | 115:3,6 | 131:17,19 |
| Righteous Martyrs, Confessors | 149:1,5 | 111:1,2 |
| Unmercenaries | 15:2,8 | 132:1,4 |
| The Reposed | 24:1,13 | 64:4; 101:12 |
| Vespers | ||
| Saturday | 92:1-3,7 | |
| Sunday | 133:1,2 | |
| Monday | 4:1,4 | |
| Tuesday | 22:1,2,7 | |
| Wednesday | 53:1,2 | |
| Thursday | 120:1,2 | |
| Friday | 58:19 | |
| Sunday Matins | ||
| Tone 1 | 11:5,6 | |
| Tone 2 | 7:1,7 | |
| Tone 3 | 95:1,9,10 | |
| Tone 4 | 43:1,27 | |
| Tone 5 | 9:1,32,36 | |
| Tone 6 | 79:1,3 | |
| Tone 7 | 9:1,32 | |
| Tone 8 | 145:1,10 |
Note: In addition, many Feasts have special prokeimenon and Alleluia verses.
| Communion Hymn | |
| Sunday | 148:1 |
| Monday; Holy Angels | 103:5 |
| Tuesday; The Forerunner; a Martyr | 111:6 |
| Wednesday; The Theotokos | 115:4 |
| Thursday; Apostle(s), St Nicholas | 18:4 |
| Friday; the Cross | 4:7 or 73:13 |
| Saturday; all Saints; the Departed | 64:4; 101:12 |
| Presanctified Liturgy | 33:8 |
| Feasts of the Theotokos | 115:4 |
| Feasts of the Bodiless Hosts | 103:5 |
| For Prophets, the Just and All Saints | 32:1 |
| For Apostles | 18:4 |
| For the Forerunner or Any Saint | 111:6 |
| For the Reposed | 64:4; 101:12 |
Note: In addition, many Feasts have special communion hymns.
| First Antiphon | Second Antiphon | Third Antiphon | |
| Sunday | 102 | 145 | (Beatitudes) |
| Weekdays | 91:1,2,13 | 92:1,2,7 | 94:1-5 |
| Palm Sunday | 114:1,3,4,9 | 115:1,3,4,9 | 117:1-4,26,27 |
| PASCHA | 65:1-3 | 66:1-3 | 67:1-3 |
| Pentecost | 18:1,2,4 | 19:1,2,4 | 20:1-3 |
| Nativity of the Theotokos | 131:1,3,6; 45:6 | 131:11,13,17 | 131:14; 45:5; 64:5-6 |
| Exaltation of the Cross | 21:2-4 | 73:1,2,12 | 98:1-3 |
| Entry of the Theotokos | 47:2-4,9 | 45:5,6; 117:20; 64:5-6 | 44:13-15 |
| Nativity of the Lord | 9:1; 110:1-3 | 111:1-4 | 109:1-3 |
| Theophany | 113:1-3,5 | 114:1-5 | 117:1-4 |
| Meeting of the Lord | 44:2,3 | 44:4-7 | 44:11,13,18 |
| Annunciation | 71:1-3; 131:11 | 71:6,7; 45:5; 49:3 | 71:17-19 |
| Transfiguration (Greek) | 47:2; 64:7-8; 103:1-2; 97:8-9 | 86:1-3,5 | 88:2,6,16,17 |
| Transfiguration (Slavic) | 65:1-2;76:19; 103:1-2 | 47:3;77:54,68-69 | 124:1,2; 14:1; 23:3 |
| Dormition of the Theotokos | 65:1-2; 104:1; 47:0; 75:3 | 86:2,3; 47;9-10; 45:5 | 107:2; 115:3,4 |
Note: Antiphons tend to differ in Greek and Slavic Typica; we do not attempt to give details.
Outside Great Lent
Sunday of St Thomas to Sunday following Exaltation of the Cross (Sept. 15)
December 20 to (but not including) January 15
Sunday of the Prodigal Son to (but not including) first day of Great Lent
| Day | Matins | Vespers |
| Sunday | II(Pss 9-16), III (Pss 17-23), XVII(Ps 118)* | |
| Monday | IV(Pss 24-31), V(Pss 32-36) | VI(Pss 37-45) |
| Tuesday | VII(Pss 46-54), VIII(Pss 55-63) | IX(Pss 64-69) |
| Wednesday | X(Pss 70-76), XI(Pss 77-84) | XII(Pss 85-90) |
| Thursday | XIII(Pss 91-100), XIV(Pss 101-104) | XV(Pss 105-108) |
| Friday | XIX(Pss 134-142), XX(Pss 143-150) | XVIII(Pss 119-133) |
| Saturday | XVI(Pss 109-117), XVII(Pss 118) | I(Pss 1-8) |
* On many feasts, the Polyeleos is sung in place of Kathisma XVII at Matins.
On the three Sundays before Lent (Sunday of the Prodigal Son through Forgiveness Sunday) The Polyeleos is sung together with Psalm 136, 'By the waters of Babylon'.
Outside Great Lent
Monday on or after September 16 to (but not including) December 20
January 15 to (but not including) Sunday of the Prodigal Son
| Day | Matins | Vespers |
| Sunday | II, III, Polyeleos(Pss 134, 135) | |
| Monday | IV, V, VI* | XVIII |
| Tuesday | VII, VIII, IX* | XVIII |
| Wednesday | X, XI, XII* | XVIII |
| Thursday | XIII, XIV, XV* | XVIII |
| Friday | XIX, XX | XVIII |
| Saturday | XVI, XVII | I |
*If the Polyeleos is appointed as the third kathisma reading on Monday to Thursday, the third reading given here is moved to Vespers, replacing Kathisma XVIII.
Great Lent except for Fifth Week
| Day | Matins | 1st Hour | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | 9th Hour | Vespers |
| Sunday | II,III,XVII | |||||
| Monday | IV,V,VI | VII | VIII | IX | XVIII | |
| Tuesday | X,XI,XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVII | XVIII |
| Wednesday | XIX,XX,I | II | III | IV | V | XVIII |
| Thursday | VI,VII,VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XVIII |
| Friday | XIII,XIV,XV | XIX | XX | XVIII | ||
| Saturday | XVI,XVII | I |
Fifth Week of Great Lent
When Annunciation does not fall on Thursday of that week
| Day | Matins | 1st Hour | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | 9th Hour | Vespers |
| Sunday | II,III,XVII | |||||
| Monday | IV,V,VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | |
| Tuesday | XI,XII,XIII | XIV | XV | XVI | XVIII | XIX |
| Wednesday | XX,I,II | III | IV | V | VI | VII |
| Thursday | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | |
| Friday | XIII,XIV,XV | XIX | XX | XVIII | ||
| Saturday | XVI,XVII | I |
Fifth Week of Great Lent
When Annunciation falls on Thursday of that week
| Day | Matins | 1st Hour | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | 9th Hour | Vespers |
| Sunday | II,III,XVII | |||||
| Monday | IV,V,VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI |
| Tuesday | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI | |
| Wednesday | XIX,XX,I | II | III | IV | V | |
| Thursday | VI,VII,VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | |
| Friday | XIII,XIV,XV | XIX | XX | XVIII | ||
| Saturday | XVI,XVII | I |
Holy Week
| Day | Matins | 1st Hour | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | 9th Hour | Vespers |
| Sunday | II,III,Polyeleos | |||||
| Monday | IV,V,VI | VII | VIII | XVIII | ||
| Tuesday | IX,X,XI | XII | XIII | XVIII | ||
| Wednesday | XIV,XV,XVI | XIX | XX | XVIII | ||
| Saturday | XVII |
No Psalter reading on Holy Thursday or Holy Friday.
The Psalter is not read during Bright Week. Readings resume at Saturday Vespers of Bright Week.
| Septuagint | Hebrew/KJV |
| 1-8 | 1-8 |
| 9:1-20 | 9 |
| 9:21-38 | 10 |
| 10-112 | 11-113 |
| 113:1-8 | 114 |
| 113:9-27 | 115 |
| 114 | 116:1-9 |
| 115 | 116:10-19 |
| 116-145 | 117-146 |
| 146 | 147:1-11 |
| 147 | 147:12-20 |
| 148-150 | 148-150 |