A Version of the Blazhen Muzh based on the Psalter in The Book of Common Prayer, 1979

The Russian Blazhen Muzh is a pastiche of verses from Psalms 1, 2, and 3 that are used in the Vespers services of the Eastern Churches. Using the Psalter found in the Episcopal prayer book, I have pieced together a rendition of the Blazen Muzh into a form familiar to The Book of Common Prayer, 1979 so that Episcopalians may also enrich their own Office of Evensong. If using this for an Invitatory Psalm, omit the Gloria Patri. The Blazhen Muzh is not appropriate during Lent, but is especially appropriate for Easter, as an ‘evening equivalent’ to the Pascha Nostrum.

Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked is doomed. Alleluia.

Submit to the Lord with fear, *
and with trembling bow before him. Alleluia.

Happy are they all *
who take refuge in him! Alleluia.

Rise up, O Lord; set me free, O my God. *
Deliverance belongs to the Lord,
and your blessing is upon your people. Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Joshua Ligan 2008.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. You are free to share, copy, distribute, display, and perform the work; or to make derivative works, provided that you attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor. You may not use this work for commercial