Light from the Psalter 10: God’s Wrath and God’s Healing

Psalm 37 LXX/38 Hebrew; Job; Hebrews 12:6; Isaiah 53:7-8 Father Patrick Reardon, in describing Psalm 37 LXX (Hebrew 38), which is chanted during the first part of Sunday Matins, calls it “one of the rougher parts of the Psalter” (Reardon, Christ in the Psalms, 2000, 73).  Its main themes, sin and suffering, are not for theContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 10: God’s Wrath and God’s Healing”

Light from the Psalter 9: Arise, O LORD!

Psalm 3; 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms) 15-18, Psalm 22/23, Isaiah 60:1 We have already briefly touched upon Psalm 3 at the beginning of this series of the Psalms, since some of its verses are joined together with Psalms 1-2 at the beginning of Great Vespers.  However, during Matins, the entire Psalm is recited silently by theContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 9: Arise, O LORD!”

Light from the Psalter 8: He asked Life of Thee and Thou Gavest it to Him!

Psalm 20 LXX/21 Hebrew, in the light of Psalm 36/37, as well as 2 Samuel 3. This second “royal” psalm of matins extends many of the themes of Psalm 19 LXX/20 Hebrew.  It has two major parts: the first speaks about “the king,” and the second part addresses that same king.  The first part speaksContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 8: He asked Life of Thee and Thou Gavest it to Him!”

Light from the Psalter 7: Rescued and Restored by the King

Psalms 19 and 20 (Hebrew text 20 and 21) set the tone for Orthros (Matins) as it is prayed for Sunday and Feast-days. Orthros is, as some know, a very long service when served in its entirety, and took its place as the last of four night-time services, taking place at dawn after an all-nightContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 7: Rescued and Restored by the King”

Breaking up is hard to do!

So, because Ancient Faith is no longer hosting blogs, it has been necessary to do some fancy footwork over the past few weeks so that those who have enjoyed reading A Lamp for Today can continue to do so. My WONDERFUL husband, who knows his way around WordPress, has been his usual invaluable self, andContinue reading “Breaking up is hard to do!”

Light from the Psalter 6: Robed in Majesty!

Psalm 92/3, Isaiah 6, Genesis 3, Isaiah 51:9, cf. Isaiah 27:1, Ezekiel 29:3, Psalm 88/9:10 Having entered into God’s holy presence in Great Vespers, by means of the Lamplight Songs, and the ancient Hymn, O Gladsome Light, we are given a vision of the LORD, robed in majesty.  It is as though we are tracingContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 6: Robed in Majesty!”