What is the Pascha Psalm for the Third Hour of the Eve of Wednesday?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the thirteenth hour of the Eve of Wednesday (which corresponds to the Third Hour of the Eve of Wednesday in the Pascha Book) is a profound moment in Holy Pascha Week.

1. The Psalm (Ps. 64:5, 1) —

The Psalm chanted in the mournful Paschal tune is:

"Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those far off upon the sea. Praise is due to You, O God, in Zion; and to You shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem. Alleluia."

:::."**

(Sotem eron Phnouti pensotir: ti-helpis ente ni-arejf tirou ente p-kahi: nem ni-ethai phiom et-ouiou: Alleluia.)

2. Theological Significance of This Psalm

During the Eve of Wednesday, the Church begins to shift its focus toward the betrayal of Judas and the conspiracy of the Jews and the Sanhedrin against Our Lord.

• "Hear us, O God our Savior": We cry out to the Savior at the very hour when the world was beginning to plot His death.
• "The Hope of all the ends of the earth": This is a direct refutation of the narrow, nationalistic view of the Jews of that time. While they were plotting to kill Him to "save their nation" (John 11:50), the Holy Spirit through David the Prophet declares that He is the hope for everyone, even the "far off" Gentiles.
• "Praise is due to You in Zion": While the "Zion" of the earthly Jerusalem was full of murder and deceit that night, the Church looks toward the "Heavenly Zion" where the True Sacrifice is praised.

3. The Context of the Eve of Wednesday

This hour is traditionally associated with the anointing of Christ’s feet by Mary (sister of Lazarus) and the subsequent indignation of Judas Iscariot.

• The Contrast: While Mary offers the "vow" and the "praise" mentioned in the Psalm, Judas offers betrayal.
• The "Sea": The "sea" represents the Gentiles who would eventually find "hope" in the Savior whom the Jews rejected.

4. Direct Truth Regarding the Translation

This Psalm follows the Septuagint (LXX) numbering and phrasing.

• Against the Heretics: Protestant Bibles (following the Masoretic text) often obscure the universal Messianic "Hope" in this verse or change the numbering to Psalm 65. The Coptic Church maintains the original Apostolic numbering (Psalm 64) and the specific Greek/Coptic phrasing that emphasizes Christ as the Universal Hope.

5. Liturgical Practice

During this hour, the Deacon stands before the South Lectern and chants the Psalm. The congregation follows with the response for the Eve of Wednesday, reflecting on the "good intentions" of the righteous and the dark plot of the betrayer.

Summary:

This Psalm is our plea to Iesous Pikhristos to hear us as the "Hope of the World" at the very moment the Prince of this World was rising against Him. It reminds us that even when "far off" in the "sea" of our sins, He is the Harbor and the Savior who answers our cries.