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”
Category Archives: A Lamp for Today
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!”
Light from the Canticles 12: Departing in Peace
Song of Simeon/Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32); Genesis 26:26-30; 2 Samuel (Kingdoms) 20:41-42; Isaiah 54:10; Nehemiah 8:3. “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for theContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 12: Departing in Peace”
Light from the Canticles 11: Horn, House, Oath, and Dayspring
Luke 1:68-79; Genesis 12:1-3; Gen 22:16-17; Psalm 18/LXX 17:3; 2 Samuel/Kingdoms 7:1-17; 2 Samuel/Kingdoms 22:3; Isaiah 9:2, Malachi 3:1; 4:2-5 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spokeContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 11: Horn, House, Oath, and Dayspring”
Light from the Canticles 10: Magnifying the Savior
Canticle 9, first part (Luke 1:46-55); 1 Sam 2:1-10; 2 Cor 10:15; Gen 22:17-18 The first part of canticle 9, called the Magnificat, has been beloved for centuries. It is the song of rejoicing and triumph of our Mother, and stands in an initial place of Luke’s Gospel, as well as studding our worship services.Continue reading “Light from the Canticles 10: Magnifying the Savior”
Edith M. Humphrey 