St. David the Prophet-King
The Holy Prophet-King David, son of Jesse of Bethlehem, was anointed by the Prophet Samuel and reigned over Israel for forty years in the 10th century BC, uniting the kingdom and establishing Jerusalem as its holy city.
A shepherd, warrior who slew Goliath, and inspired psalmist, he composed the Psalms that form the backbone of Orthodox worship to this day. Though he fell into grave sin, his profound repentance, poured out in Psalm 50, made him the model penitent for all generations. As the ancestor of Christ according to the flesh, he is commemorated on the Sunday after Nativity together with Joseph the Betrothed and James the Brother of the Lord.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 50 (51), the Psalm of Repentance by King David
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
Kontakion of the Sunday after Nativity
Today the godly David is filled with gladness, and Joseph offers praise with James. Having received the crown of their kinship with Christ, they rejoice, praising in song Him Who is inexpressibly born on earth, crying out: O Compassionate One, save those who honor You!
Saints around the Nativity
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