Dear Friends,

This is a question I've wanted to ask for a while, and perhaps we can tackle this.

Our Liturgies/Offices use many hymns which are either directly or partially taken from the Holy Scriptures. The hymn "Glory to God in the Highest" is the song of the angels at Christ's birth with other themes rolled in. The "Holy, Holy, Holy" right before the Eucharistic prayer is the song of the cherubim in Isaiah (went over this during Lent ). Those are just two examples that I wanted to focus on for now.

Because these hymns are always around day after day, week after week, we can sometimes pass over them without much note. And yet, it seems that a fuller appreciation of these hymns would probably help us appreciate the "heaven on earth" reality of the Liturgy, when we sing with the angels the hymns of the angels.

What are some ways we can more fully appreciate these scriptural hymns and thus enter more fruitfully into the Liturgy when normally we might be tempted to pass over them as ordinary hymns?

Dear Catholicos,

An excellent question! You are so good you should have your own Board!

It is interesting that the icon of King David the Psalmist is included in every one of the icons of the major Feasts of the Byzantine Church.

This is to underline the fact that we are using his Psalms to glorify those events of salvation history.

Historically, these hymns were often memorized and recited frequently as ways to praise God continually.

The Coptic monks would often memorize one and recite it throughout the day.

Memorization is not a bad thing at all. I think it helps us pray from the heart.

Alex

"What are some ways we can more fully appreciate these scriptural hymns and thus enter more fruitfully into the Liturgy when normally we might be tempted to pass over them as ordinary hymns?"


Mor Ephrem,

Make the connection with Scripture and how the liturgists utilized the Bible for liturgical purposes. For instance, consider one of the most popular Communion Hymns that we Byzantine sing:

"Taste and see that Christ is the Lord"

This is a play on the Psalmist words found in Ps 34:9(8):

"Taste and see how good the LORD is"

This was no arbitrary alteration of the Psalm verse, for in Greek 'chrestos' means good and 'Christos' means Christ, thus:

"Taste and see chrestos/Christos"

Joe Thur

Hi Mor, Alex & Joe,

I don't know if its my being a newbie somewhat, but I don't pass them over as ordinary hymns. I don't know if it's the combination of the word structures (they are very poetic) & the melodies and it's hard to explain. They are not just words on paper they almost have a life of their own. I think there is an intention to make the Liturgy alive as in the phrase "and the Word became Flesh". It's Catechesis and Celebration rolled into one. Anything less then the Liturgies of St.Basil & St.John is runny oatmeal or "Worship Lite".

Happy Chanting,

Nicky's Baba

It is as a friend stated when he decided to become a Melkite, formally Baptist. "I went to sleep(it was Paska) and all nite the songs sang in my mind and spirit." It is when we allow these Psalms to become a part of us, the Spirit praises God through us in the singing of them with in us. I'm like Niki's Baba, its all good!!!!!!!!