"If we keep vigil in church, David comes first, last, and central. If early in the morning we want songs and hymns, first, last, and central is David again. If we are occupied with the funeral solemnities of those who have fallen asleep, or if virgins sit at home and spin, David is first, last, and central. O amazing wonder! Many who have made little progress in literature know the Psalter by heart. Nor is it only in cities and churches that David is famous; in the village market, in the desert, and in uninhabitable land, he excites the praise of God. In monasteries, among those holy choirs of angelic armies, David is first, last, and central. In the convents of virgins, where there are the communities of those who imitate Mary, in the deserts where there are men crucified to the world, who live their life in heaven with God, David is first, last, and central. All other men at night are overcome by sleep; David alone is active, and gathering the servants of God into seraphic bands, he turns earth into heaven, and converts men into angels."
As soon as I saw you were talking about the Psalter, I was going to ask you about Donald Sheehan. Looks like you're already there! I'd love to hear or read you comparing English translations. Or discuss structure with you.
I was rereading Sheehan as I was preparing for this post and thought of you actually.
I'll confess I'm a novice when it comes to the psalmic poetics, only really beginning to study it about a year ago. Although I've loved the language of Scripture for years before converting I always steered clear of the Psalms. I think it was too real.
I'd love to discuss structure sometime, and it would be great fund to do a comparison of English translations too although having no knowledge of Hebrew or Greek makes me self-conscious. But that's never stopped me before!
I was curious where you would go from the previous post; this is the move I was hoping you would make. Great stuff
"If we keep vigil in church, David comes first, last, and central. If early in the morning we want songs and hymns, first, last, and central is David again. If we are occupied with the funeral solemnities of those who have fallen asleep, or if virgins sit at home and spin, David is first, last, and central. O amazing wonder! Many who have made little progress in literature know the Psalter by heart. Nor is it only in cities and churches that David is famous; in the village market, in the desert, and in uninhabitable land, he excites the praise of God. In monasteries, among those holy choirs of angelic armies, David is first, last, and central. In the convents of virgins, where there are the communities of those who imitate Mary, in the deserts where there are men crucified to the world, who live their life in heaven with God, David is first, last, and central. All other men at night are overcome by sleep; David alone is active, and gathering the servants of God into seraphic bands, he turns earth into heaven, and converts men into angels."
Saint John Chrysostom on the Psalms
As soon as I saw you were talking about the Psalter, I was going to ask you about Donald Sheehan. Looks like you're already there! I'd love to hear or read you comparing English translations. Or discuss structure with you.
I was rereading Sheehan as I was preparing for this post and thought of you actually.
I'll confess I'm a novice when it comes to the psalmic poetics, only really beginning to study it about a year ago. Although I've loved the language of Scripture for years before converting I always steered clear of the Psalms. I think it was too real.
I'd love to discuss structure sometime, and it would be great fund to do a comparison of English translations too although having no knowledge of Hebrew or Greek makes me self-conscious. But that's never stopped me before!