Praying the Psalms ... Mirror of a Person's Soul
In
continuing our series on praying the Psalms of the Bible, we have mentioned St.
Athanasius’ Letter to Marcellinus (available online http://athanasius.com/psalms/aletterm.htm), written in
the first half of the Fourth Century. That Letter shows us how Christians used
the Psalter, both privately as well as liturgically in worship.
St.
Athanasius writes in that letter that the Psalms are a mirror of a person’s
soul. “This peculiar marvel [is] that within [the Psalms] are represented and
portrayed, in all their great variety, the movements of the human soul. It is
like a picture in which you see yourself portrayed, and seeing, may understand
and consequently form yourself upon the pattern given.”
“In the
Psalms,” he says, “you learn about yourself” and “learn the way to remedy your
ill.” And this is all done by the Holy Spirit through our reading, chanting, or
speaking the Psalms.
In this context
of using the Psalms for healing and amendment of life, St. Athanasius gives us
illustrations of situations and events in which to use specific Psalms as “fit
forms of words wherewith to please the Lord on each of life’s occasions,” and
he urges Marcellinus–and so us–to “select those things of which he sees himself
in need.” Some of his Psalm recommendations to take to prayer are [using the
English/Hebrew Psalm numbering of most of our Bibles today]:
“Contemplating
humanity's redemption and the Savior's universal grace, sing Psalm 8 to the
Lord; and with this same Psalm or the 19th you may thank Him for the vintage.
For victory over the enemy and the saving of created things, take not glory to
yourself but, knowing that it is the Son of God Who has thus brought things to
a happy issue, say to Him Psalm 9; and, if any wishes to alarm you, the 11th,
still trusting in the Lord. When you see the boundless pride of many, and evil
passing great, so that among men (so it seems) no holy thing remains, take refuge
with the Lord and say Psalm 12. And if this state of things be long drawn out,
be not faint-hearted, as though God had forgotten you, but call upon Him with
Psalm 27. Should you hear others blaspheme the providence of God, do not join
with them in their profanity but intercede with God, using the 14th and the
53rd. And if, by way of contrast, you want to learn what sort of person is
citizen of heaven's kingdom, then sing Psalm 15.”
“Again,
when you find yourself hated and persecuted by all your friends and kinsfolk
because of your faith in Christ, do not despair on this account nor be afraid
of them, but go apart and, looking to the future, sing Psalm 31. And when you
see people baptized and ransomed from this evil world, be filled with wonder at
the love of God for men, and in thanksgiving for them sing the 32nd. And
whenever a number of you want to sing together, being all good and upright
persons, then use the 33rd.”
“When you
see people in poverty, obliged to beg their bread, and you want to show them
pity, you can applaud those who have already helped them and incite others to
like works of mercy by using 41. Then again, if you are aflame with longing for
God, be not disturbed at the reviling of your enemies but, knowing the immortal
fruit that such desire shall bear, comfort your soul and ease your pains with
hope in God, and say the 42nd.”
“But
suppose now that you have sinned and, having been put to confusion, are
repenting and begging for forgiveness, then you have the words of confession
and repentance in Psalm 51.”
“The 65th
Psalm will meet your need, whenever you desire to sing praise to God: and if
you want to teach any one about the Resurrection, sing the 66th. When asking
mercy from the Lord, praise Him with the 67th. When you see wicked men enjoying
prosperity and peace and good men in sore trouble, be not offended or disturbed
at it but say Psalm 73.”
Dibby Green
Originally published in the print edition of the Mojave Desert News on September 26, 2019.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is located in California City, CA. Visit our website at ollcalcity.org.