Author Archives: edithmhumphrey

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!”

Light from the Psalter 5: Crying Out of the Depths

Psalm 129LXX/130 MT  and 116/117; Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 10:6-8, Luke 23:34-46, Mark 14:37, 15:34 In the darkness of Vespers, and from the depths of our hearts, we cry out to God, knowing that the Lord’s Day will follow the night. The third and fourth of the lamplighting Psalms (Psalm 129/130 and Psalm 116/117) are chantedContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 5: Crying Out of the Depths”

Light from the Psalter 4: I Cried to the Lord

Psalm 141 (LXX) /142 (MT); 1 Samuel (Kingdoms) 22; 1 Samuel (Kingdoms) 24; Hebrews 12:1-6 The second of the “Lamp-light” Psalms, Psalm 141 in the Greek, 142 in the Hebrew, continues the theme of the previous one—the plight of the righteous, and their cry to God.  In the Psalter, it is introduced by a superscriptionContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 4: I Cried to the Lord”

Light from the Psalter 3: Lamplight Lifting of the Hands

Psalm 140 (MT141); Numbers 16; 2 Cor 5:21-6:1; Romans 5:1-2, 1 Thess 5:23-4 The first of the four “lamp-lighting” Psalms of Vespers has been prayed in the evening for about three millennia, since the time of King David, to whom Psalm 140/141 is ascribed. Because its context in the evening is clear from the firstContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 3: Lamplight Lifting of the Hands”

Light from the Psalter 2: Blessed is the Man!

Psalms 1-3; 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms)15-18 In the first session of this series on the Psalms, we began with Psalm 103/104, the first Psalm recited for Saturday Great Vespers, seeing ourselves in that blessed place with God as, resting, He surveys and is pleased with all that He has created.  The next selection from theContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 2: Blessed is the Man!”

Light from the Psalter 1: It is Very Good!

PSALM 103 (LXX); Hebrews 12:18-24; Exodus 24; Genesis 1; 1 Corinthians 15 Every week, beginning with sundown on Saturday, we recite Psalms with the Church, and so are illumined by God.  Great Vespers begins with the astonishing psalm of creation (Psalm 103 LXX/104 Hebrew text), by which we stand, as it were, alongside God duringContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 1: It is Very Good!”

Conversation with Fr. Thomas Soroka

Join us Tuesday June 27 at 9 p.m. ET on Ancient Faith to discuss my newest release Mediation and the Immediate God: Scriptures, the Church, and Knowing God. I hope this book will be a catalyst for discussion of Christian mediation among friends! Call in your questions and queries. Information at https://www.ancientfaith.com/radio/live