Bill's Corner: The Six Psalms
Many hold the opinion that, next to the Divine Liturgy, the service of Matins (Orthros in Greek) is the most significant service in the Eastern Orthodox Church’s daily great cycle of prayer. It is a rich collection of “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” – to quote St. Paul the Apostle (Eph. 5:19) – chanted and sung daily in the monasteries, usually following the Midnight Hour (or sometimes within a Vigil service, following Vespers) and preceding the Divine Liturgy. In most parishes Matins is done either in the Vigil or just prior to the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and major feast days.
Within the Matins service, there are fixed elements that do not change, as well as elements which are performed in accordance with the Menaion (the yearly calendar of commemoration), the Octoechos (the Eight Tones), and appointed Gospel readings. One of the fixed elements in Matins is the Six Psalms.
The Six Psalms (3, 37, 62, 87, 102 and 142) are chanted or read at the front of Matins, in two groups of three, with the common Glory, Both Now, Alleluia and Lord have mercy refrain in between. The reading is normally accomplished in about ten minutes. It is a very special ten minutes each and every time the Six Psalms are heard.
Apart from the inspiration of the Scriptures themselves, the genius of the Holy Spirit working in and through the Orthodox Church and her saints is perhaps most evident in the structure of Her worship and the way selections of Scripture are positioned in relation to each other. I remember in my Protestant past how often I would use a concordance to discover and follow a thread of inspiration or a theme in the Bible – to “build my case” as it were, and now in the services of the Church it is as though this scholastic approach has been given wings to fly. The Reformation has given rise to many personal study aids that can be very helpful, but the accompanying philosophy that places the onus of spiritual discovery on individuals who are essentially cut-off from the great minds of Eastern Church antiquity is both sad and shameful. As a methodology, all my personal cross-referencing seems a very poor substitute, akin to a plastic-molded version of a priceless original – such as a Stradivarius or The Pieta – by comparison.
The grouping of the Six Psalms together is particularly fine art. Together they let us travel to the summit of God’s mercy and to the depth of man’s despair - the “sorrowful path that leads to that joy.” And the more one hears and witnesses them in the context of Matins, the more powerful and sobering they become.
It is said that the Six Psalms are the most solemn prayers to be read in any service of the Church, because they will be heard at the commencement of the Final Judgment of Christ at the end of the world. This is reinforced not only by the words of these psalms, but also by the traditional instructions that accompany their reading.
Matins is normally performed in the early morning hours (especially in many of the monasteries – 2 AM!) For the Six Psalms we are instructed to extinguish all the lights in the Church, except for a candle to read by (the icon screen lampadas also remain lit). The darkness of night-early morning surrounds us. We stand perfectly still and erect before God, even as dead men upright (the tall, wooden stadia or seats often found in the monasteries now become “coffins” for the monks), and we do not even cross ourselves at the invocation of the Trinity as is normal. The priest stands in the sanctuary (the altar); he is silent and motionless. Nothing is allowed to distract us.
The first three are read, and following the extolling of God’s mercy in Psalm 62 and the glorious Trinitarian refrain, the Reader begins Psalm 87; the most despairing of the six, as one writer says, filled with dreadful bitterness. Yet, in this state we experience God’s great mercy, for now the priest moves out of the altar and stands in the transept on the solea before the Royal Doors (also called Beautiful Gates). In this action he is the image of Christ coming out of heaven to share in our earthly life through the Incarnation, bending down to be with us and rescue us. The night now becomes the darkness of the Nativity Cave. The priest recites 12 Silent Prayers and at the end of Psalm 142, the Reader closes with the words:
Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant.I will leave it to our newsletter readers to hear and ponder the words of the Six Psalms and the 12 Prayers, or even better, meet with them in the Matins service. However, being of limited experience and insight, the one “take-away” I will put forward regarding the Six Psalms and their hearing is that I have become more aware (and just barely) of the real distance between the mind and the heart.
Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.
For many years I have known that men are sinners, and as a once-good Calvinist, I could recite the doctrines of reformed theology (on my better days). Take, for instance, Total Depravity. I dare say few of us, including yours truly, really believe it about ourselves – as with many biblical “truths” it was for me a rational abstraction that I would foist on others when it suited me. And, of course, the Orthodox Church rejects Total Depravity, yet by the grace of God I am more acquainted with the depravity of sin within myself than ever before. The gut-wrenching, bitter and desperate cry of the Psalmists has come into my ears, and my gut is starting to turn, too. I take it as good sign. Would that their intrepid praise of God’s glory be mine in the same manner.
Someone has said that Christianity is not just a faith system, but also a vision of the heart. The Orthodox Church teaches that the communion of God with us, and us with God and therefore each other (Gospel of John, chapter 17), is the destiny of the saints and even all of creation in Christ. This will not be a mere mental ascent (or descent), because we cannot apprehend or comprehend our condition nor the mercy of God with rational faculties alone, and God is not about doing shoddy work, although to my dishonor I would gladly settle for that. I am reminded again that the Orthodox Church, as the earthly arbiter of the Great Physician Himself, extends many prescriptions to heal and transform us – every part of us – planting the vision of humility and love mysteriously deep within.
The Six Psalms are a terrible and wonderful remedy.
The Six Psalms
There should be no moving about and no sitting during the reading of the Six Psalms.
All candles in the stands should be extinguished (and relit at the end of the reading). The Reader reads in the middle of the church, using a candle.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. Thrice. (With the sign of the Cross and a bow from the waist each time.)
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. Twice.
O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain. I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the teeth of sinners hast Thou broken. Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.
I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. For Thine arrows are fastened in me, and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me. There is no healing in my flesh in the face of Thy wrath; and there is no peace in my bones in the face of my sins. For mine iniquities are risen higher than my head; as a heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me. My bruises are become noisome and corrupt in the face of my folly. I have been wretched and utterly bowed down until the end; all the day long I went with downcast face. For my loins are filled with mockings, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly, I have roared from the groaning of my heart. 0 Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; and the light of mine eyes, even this is not with me. My friends and my neighbours drew nigh over against me and stood, and my nearest of kin stood afar off. And they that sought after my soul used violence; and they that sought evils for me spake vain things, and craftinesses all the day long did they meditate. But as for me, like a deaf man I heard them not, and was as a speechless man that openeth not his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not, and that hath in his mouth no reproofs. For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; yea, when my feet were shaken, those men spake boastful words against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity, and I will take heed concerning my sin. But mine enemies live and are made stronger than I, and they that hated me unjustly are multiplied. They that render me evil for good slandered me, because I pursued goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.
O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory. For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands. As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips of rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee. If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me. But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be. But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things.
At the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul hath cleaved after Thee, Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice. (Without bows, with the sign of the Cross only.)
Lord. have mercy. Thrice.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication. For filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto hades hath drawn nigh. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. Like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand. They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the shadow of death. Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy billows hast Thou brought upon me. Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they have made me an abomination unto themselves. I have been delivered up, and have not come forth; mine eyes are grown weak from poverty. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee? Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in Thy destruction? Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten? But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee. Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and turnest Thy face away from me? A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth; yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought to distress. Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors have sorely troubled me. They came round about me like water, all the day long they compassed me about together. Thou hast removed afar from me friend and neighbour, and mine acquaintances because of my misery.
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee.
Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He hath done for thee, Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine infirmities, Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion, Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle's. The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth judgment for all them that are wronged. He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed. Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy; not unto the end will He be angered, neither unto eternity will He be wroth. Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us. For according to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us. Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust. As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth. For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him. And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and remember His commandments to do them. The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
In every place of His dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant.
Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness, and enter not into judgment with Thy servant.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice. (With the sign of the Cross and Bows from the waist.)
The 12 Silent Prayers (said by the Priest)
First Prayer
We give thanks unto thee, O Lord our God, who hast raised us up from our beds, and hast put into our mouths the word of praise that we may worship and call upon thy holy name. We pray, by thy compassion which thou hast always exercised in our life, send forth now also thine aid upon those who stand before the presence of thy holy glory, and await the rich mercy which is from thee. And grant that they always with fear and love may adore, praise and hymn thee, and worship thine indescribable goodness.
For to thee belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer
By night our spirit riseth early unto thee, O our God, for thine ordinances are a light upon the earth. Make us to understand the perfection of righteousness and holiness in thy fear. We glorify thee,O our God, who dost truly exist. Bow down thine ear and hear us; remember by name, O Lord, all those that are with us and pray with us, and save them by thy power. Bless thy people and sanctify thine inheritance. Give peace to thy world, to thy churches, to the priests, (to the authorities,)and to all thy people.
For blessed and glorified is thine all-honorable and magnificent name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Third Prayer
By night our spirit riseth early unto thee, O God, for thine ordinances are a light. Teach us, O God, thy righteousness, thy commandments, and thy statutes; enlighten the eyes of our intelligence that we may never fall asleep unto death in sin. Drive out all gloom from our hearts. Grant unto us the Sun of Righteousness, and keep our life un-assailed by the seal of thy Holy Spirit. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Give us the morning and the day in joy, that we may send up morning prayers unto thee.
For thine is the strength, and thine are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Fourth Prayer
O Master, God, holy and unsearchable, who didst command the light to shine forth from the darkness; who hast given us rest in the sleep of the night, and hast raised us up to the glorification and supplication of thy goodness; we implore thy tenderheartedness, accept us also now who worship thee and give thanks unto thee according to our power; and grant us all our petitions which are unto salvation. Show us to be sons of the light and of the day, and heirs of thine eternal good things. Remember, O Lord, in the multitude of thy compassions, all thy people who are present and who pray with us, and all our brethren on land and on the sea and in all places of thy dominion, who are in need of thy love toward man and of thy help; and grant unto all thy great mercy, that, always remaining in safety of soul and body, we may with boldness glorify thy wondrous and blessed name.
For thou art the God of mercies, and of compassion, and of love of man, and to thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer
O Treasury of good things, ever-flowing fountain, holy Father, wonderworker, all-powerful, almighty, we all worship thee and pray unto thee, calling thy mercies and compassion to the help and succor of our humility. Remember, O Lord, thy suppliants; accept the morning prayers of us all as incense before thee; and let not one of us be made unfit, but encompass us all with thy compassion. Remember, O Lord, those who watch and those who sing to thy glory, and to that of thine only-begotten Son and our God, and of thy Holy Spirit. Be thou their helper and succor. Accept thou their supplications upon thy most heavenly and ideal altar.
For thou art our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sixth Prayer
We thank thee, O Lord God of our salvation, for thou doest all things for the welfare of our life, that we may always set our gaze upon thee, the Savior and Benefactor of our souls. For thou hast given us rest in that part of the night which is past, and hast roused us up from our beds, and hast set us in the worship of thine honorable name. Wherefore, we pray thee, O Lord, give us grace and power that we may be found worthy to sing unto thee with wisdom and pray unto thee unceasingly in fear and trembling, accomplishing our own salvation with the succor of thy Christ. Remember, O Lord, also those that cry out in the night unto thee, hear them, and have mercy. Crush under their feet invisible and warring enemies.
For thou art the King of peace and the Savior of our souls, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Seventh Prayer
O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast raised us from our beds, and hast gathered us together at the hour of prayer, give us grace in the opening of our mouths, and accept the thanks that we give according to our ability, and teach us thy statutes. For we know not how to pray as we ought, if thou, O Lord, by thy Holy Spirit, dost not lead us. Wherefore, we pray thee, remit, forgive, pardon whatsoever sins we have committed until this present hour, in word, in deed, or in thought; for if thou wilt regard transgression, O Lord, Lord, who shall stand? For with thee is deliverance. For thou art holy, a helper, and the strong defender of our life, and our song shall always be of thee.
Blessed and glorified is the might of thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Eighth Prayer
O Lord our God, who hast banished from us the slothfulness of sleep and hast summoned us by a holy bidding, that also in the night we may lift up our hands and confess unto thee the judgments of thy righteousness, accept our prayers, supplications, confessions, and nocturnal worship, and grant us, O God, faith unashamed, firm hope, and love without hypocrisy. Bless our goings out and our comings in, our deeds, works, words, and thoughts. And grant us to reach the beginning of the day praising, singing, and blessing the ineffable beneficence of thy goodness.
For blessed is thine all-holy name, and glorified is thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Ninth Prayer
Make shine in our hearts, O Master who lovest man, the incorrupt light of thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the comprehension of the preaching of thy Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both considering and doing all things well-pleasing unto thee.
For thou art the sanctification and the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, and unto thee do we send up glory, together with thy Father, who is without beginning, and thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Tenth Prayer
O Lord our God, who hast granted forgiveness unto men through repentance, and hast shown, as an example unto us of the knowledge of sins and confession, the repentance of the Prophet David unto pardon, do thou thyself, O Master, in the manifold and great offenses into which we have fallen, have mercy according to thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of thy compassions, blot out our transgressions; for against thee have we sinned, O Lord, who knowest both the hidden and secret things of the heart of man, and alone hast authority to forgive sins; in as much as thou hast created a clean heart in us, and with thy guiding Spirit hast thou established us, and hast made known unto us the joy of thy salvation, cast us not away from thy face; but be graciously willing for us to offer unto thee even until our last breath a sacrifice of righteousness and an offering upon thy holy altars.
Through the mercies and compassion and love of man of thine only-begotten Son, with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Eleventh Prayer
O God our God, who by thy will hast brought into being intelligent and rational powers, we pray thee and supplicate thee, accept the glorification which together with all thy creatures we offer according to our ability, and reward us with the rich gifts of thy goodness. For unto thee every knee doth bow, whether in heaven, on earth, or in the infernal regions, and every breath and every creature doth sing thine unsearchable glory. For thou alone art the true and most merciful God.
For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Twelfth Prayer
We praise thee, we hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O God of our fathers, that thou hast brought us through the shadows of the night and hast again shown us the light of day. But we pray of thy goodness, cleanse us from our sins and accept our prayers in thy great tenderness of heart. For we take refuge in thee, the merciful and all-powerful God. Illumine in our hearts the true Sun of thy righteousness, enlighten our minds and guard all our senses, that, as in the day, walking nobly in the way of thy commandments, we may attain unto life eternal, for with thee is the fountain of life, and that we may be vouchsafed to come to the enjoyment of thine unapproachable light.
For thou art our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.