A Prayer Before Reading the Psalter

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O most Holy Trinity, God and Creator of the universe: Haste Thou and direct my heart, that it may begin with understanding, and end with good works, this divinely inspired book, which the Holy Spirit uttered through the mouth of David, and which I now desire to recite, unworthy though I am. Knowing well mine own ignorance, I fall down before Thee and pray, begging help of Thee: O Lord, set my mind aright, and make my heart steadfast, that I may not grow weary because of the words which my lips read, but that I may be gladdened with the understanding of what is read and may prepare myself for the doing of the good works which I learn; and I say: Let me be enlightened by good deeds, that at Thy judgment-seat I may, with all Thine elect, become a citizen of the land which is at Thy right hand. And now, O Master, bless me, that, sighing from [the depths of ] my heart, I may chant with my tongue, saying thus:

     O come, let us worship God our King!
     O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God!
     O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God!

Then stand a while, until all one’s senses are calm, before beginning, not rapidly, nor yet at too slow a pace, but with compunction and a contrite heart, quietly, with understanding, not stridently, so that one may understand with one’s mind what is being read.