On what occasions is the Psalter read? Why do demons attack when you read the psalter
For those who believe in God, in his help to us, it is necessary to read the psalms (moreover, now there is Lent), thanks to which we get closer to our creator, attract angels to us, and get rid of acquired sins. But for those who do not know what the Psalter is, we will try to give an answer for beginners, in addition, we will tell you how to read the Psalter correctly.
What is the Psalter
The Psalter is a book from the Old Testament that consists of 150 songs (or psalms). Psalms or songs are intended to pour out one's emotions about all the trials of a person's life (death, birth, illness). At this time, the Psalter is used for worship. Before reading the Psalter and the psalms contained in it, you need to understand the content, structure of these religious songs and the book as a whole.
In a general literary sense, the Psalter is written according to all the rules of Jewish poetry, that is, the simultaneously colorful and amazing text of the song conveys all the power of thought for specific situations. As for the structure, this book is divided according to the semantic content of the songs into:
- Most of all, the texts of the psalms are intended to glorify God, his power and influence on the worldly life of man;
- Philosophical content, where there is a reflection on the greatness of man, about his thoroughness;
- There are marriage songs and songs of a historical nature.
Use of the Psalter by Orthodox Christians
Since we touched on the topic of worship and the use of psalms (Psalter) in various Christian rituals, we will tell you how this book is used in our country.
For Orthodox Christians, reading psalms is a daily procedure, and this goes back to ancient times. Required reading:
- In the morning, songs 3, 37, 62, 82, 102 and 142 are read. At the end of the morning service, psalms of praise are sung (148 - 150).
- In the evening, Psalms 116, 129, 140 and 141 are used for obligatory singing, all ending with Psalm 33 about the exaltation of God above people.
According to tradition, which came from ancient Christian monks, the Psalter is divided into 20 kathismas. Kathisma is a section of the Psalter that makes it much easier for the worshiper to navigate.
Why do they read psalms?
Most often, Christians read the Psalter when a person has died. To make it more clear, let's look at an example of how to read the Psalter for the dead.
This custom of reading psalms about the dead continues, like all religious rite human burials, dating back to ancient times. Sometimes there are even special people who read these psalms; they are invited to the house where the person died and continuously, for 40 days, read the psalms at the request of the relatives of the deceased.
When reading the Psalter about the departed, in addition to all the prayers and reading kathismas, a special prayer is also used - “Glory”, which mentions the names of all the deceased associated with the person who died.
Reading the Psalter for the departed gives memory and consolation to relatives. These special psalms testify to the love and respect of relatives for the deceased and for God, because only by reading these songs do you get closer to our creator.
How to read the Psalter about health? We will answer that this reading is similar to the psalms for the departed, that is, the psalms about health are also read. Most often these psalms go together. That is, we have already mentioned that when the kathisma is read, there is a prayer for “Glory”, then the names of the deceased and the names of living people are listed, basically this goes in turn: one name is a deceased person, the second is a living one.
I would also like to highlight some rules or tips for those who want to read the psalms.
- In order to know how to read the Psalter correctly, you must always have a candle or lamp with you (this is for prayer at home).
- Read the psalms only out loud or in a low voice.
- Do not forget about the correct emphasis in words, because incorrectly pronouncing a sacred sentence is equivalent to a sin, be careful.
- Psalms can be read both sitting and standing. Basically, they are read while sitting, and the names of the dead and living are pronounced while standing, after prayers and at “Glory”.
- Please note that the psalms are read not only aloud, but also monotonously, without any expressions of one’s emotions - this is not a literary work, but a serious religious text.
- If you do not understand the meaning of the psalms, do not be too discouraged, because this is the point - you develop in spiritual understanding in stages. As you grow spiritually, the meaning of the psalms will also be revealed.
General reading rules
Despite the fact that the Psalter is often read not only at divine services, but also at home, there is still no regulation for this reading. However, certain rules for the private reading of the Psalter have nevertheless developed.
Before reading the Psalter, it is customary to light a candle or lamp (if it is not necessary to do so on the road).
Then pronounce the required words in this case. After reading them, begin reading the kathisma.
When reading, you should not place emphasis on words incorrectly (considered a sin) and indulge in excessive passion. The names of the psalms are not readable.
If possible, the reading should be done while standing, however, if it is difficult to stand, then you are allowed to sit: in such cases you need to get up during the reading of the “Glories” and the prayers with which the reading of the Psalter or kathisma begins and ends.
But how many kathismas to read at a time or per day is not established by the rules. According to priest Anthony Ignatiev: “It seems to me that reading is most acceptable when you do not depend on the volume of what you read, i.e. are not required to read kathisma or two a day. If you have time and a spiritual need for prayer, you begin reading from where you left off last time, making a bookmark.”
At the end of the reading of the kathisma, the troparia and prayers placed at the end must be said. Then - prayers after reading several kathismas or the entire Psalter.
Remember that if you do not accept some kind of vow or permanent addition to the generally accepted rule, you do not need to take a blessing from your confessor. However, if by reading the Psalter you impose upon yourself some special constant prayer rule or some kind of vow, then the blessing of the priest for reading is mandatory.
Priest Vladimir Shlykov explains why this is necessary:
“Before you take upon yourself any prayer rules, you need to consult with your confessor or the priest with whom you regularly confess. Having assessed your life situation and the measure of spiritual success, the priest will bless (or not bless) to read. It often happens that a person takes on an unbearable burden, and as a result he has spiritual problems. If you pray obediently and with blessings, then such problems can be avoided.” “The priest is a conductor of God’s grace. Therefore, when they take a blessing, they apply it not to the hand of the priest, but to the Hand of the Lord. Let's say we want to receive God's blessing, but how will we know whether He blessed or not? For this, the Lord left a priest on earth, gave him special power, and the grace of God descends on believers through the priest. In addition, during personal communication, you will be able to ask the priest all your questions about what you are taking the blessing for. And the priest will advise what will be useful for you. You can only give general advice through the Internet, but you can only receive grace, as well as hear something specific from the priest, only in church.”
Prayers for health and peace on Slavy
Quite common is the practice of commemorating the living and the dead, as well as making special petitions.
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives (names), bosses, mentors, benefactors (names) and all Orthodox Christians.
About the dead (about the deceased) on the third (after the words “Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”):
Rest, O Lord, the souls of your departed servants (names) and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.
If desired, between 20 and 21 the prayer “Lord, have mercy!” You can say a personal prayer for those closest to you, for the most essential things.
Rules for reading the Psalter for the dead
Since ancient times, Orthodox Christians have had a tradition of reading the Psalter over the body of the deceased before his burial and after, in memory of the deceased. Apostolic decrees command the reading of the Psalter for the departed on the third, ninth and fortieth day, but in practice the psalms are more often read either three or forty days, continuously, with breaks only during memorial services and funeral lithiums.
The reading of the Psalter for the departed begins after the “Sequence of the departure of the soul from the body.” The psalms are read with tenderness and contrition of heart, slowly, and carefully delving into what is being read. It is not customary to sit while reading, an exception is made only for seriously ill people.
First, the prescribed “Prayers before starting to read the Psalms” are read.
Then the psalms themselves, at each Glory of which it is said:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia glory to You, O God! (three times)
Remember, O Lord our God, in faith and hope the eternal life of the one who passed away (up to 40 days from the date of death - “newly deceased”) Your servant [or: Thy servant], our brother [or: our sister] [name] and as he is Good and Lover of Mankind, he forgives sins and consumes untruths, weaken, forsake and forgive him with all his will [or: her] sins and involuntary, deliver him [or: yu] eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant him [or: to her] communion and enjoyment of Your eternal good things, prepared for those who love You: even if you sin, do not depart from You, and undoubtedly in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, God glorify You in the Trinity, faith, and the Unity in the Trinity and the Trinity in Unity, Orthodox even to his last breath confession.
In the same way, be merciful to him [or: to that] and have faith in You instead of deeds, and with Your saints as You give generous rest: for there is no man who will live and not sin. But You are the One besides all sin, and Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and You are the One God of mercies and generosity, and love for mankind, and to You we send glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.
Then, the prayers laid down after reading several kathismas or the entire Psalter for the departed:
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Read three times, with the sign of the cross and bow from the waist.)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (three times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be it your name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Troparia deceased
From the spirits of the righteous who have passed away, give rest to the soul of Your servant, O Savior, preserving it in the blessed life that belongs to You, O Lover of Mankind.
In Thy chamber, O Lord: where all Thy saints rest, give rest also to the soul of Thy servant, for Thou art the only Lover of mankind.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
You are God, Who descended into hell and loosed the bonds of the bound, May You Himself and the soul of Your servant give rest.
And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
One Pure and Immaculate Virgin, who gave birth to God without a seed, pray for the salvation of his soul.
Lord have mercy (40 times).
And the prayer laid down at the end of kathisma.
According to priest Alexander Kalinin: “Reading the psalter for the departed undoubtedly brings them great consolation - both in itself, as reading the word of God and as a testimony of the love for them and the memory of their living brethren. It also brings them great benefit, since it is accepted by God as a pleasant propitiatory sacrifice for the cleansing of the sins of those remembered: just as in general every prayer, every good deed is accepted by Him.”
The Psalter is a book of sacred hymns or psalms, most of which were written by King David at the instigation of the Holy Spirit. In each psalm we see the pain, joy, confusion or triumph that the Great Psalmist experienced when he created these sacred texts.
Psalms have been used in worship since Old Testament times. And in our time at services we hear choral singing or reading psalms. The reading of the Psalter in church is regulated by the Typicon - the liturgical charter.
Reading the Psalter at home:
IN Orthodox Church There is a good tradition of reading the Psalter privately (at home). The Holy Book is read either by agreement - several believers, reading the entire Psalter per day, or individually, by kathisma (section of the Psalter) per day. By taking upon himself the rule of diligently and carefully reading the Psalter at home, a Christian accomplishes a small feat; it is both difficult and at the same time brings great peace to the soul.
There is no rule for reading the Psalter at home. But over time, certain rules have developed, the implementation of which is desirable.
*Without a blessing taken from the priest, you cannot start reading the psalter.
*Before reading begins, a candle or lamp is lit. The fire does not light up when reading only if you are currently on the road.
*Following the advice of St. Seraphim of Sarov, one must read the Psalter out loud, quietly. This makes it easier to perceive the sacred text not only with the mind, but also with the ear. “My hearing brings joy and gladness” (Ps. 50:10).
*You cannot place stress in words incorrectly. It is a sin. Incorrect placement of accents changes the meaning of the word and distorts the phrase.
*When following the rule, you should not indulge in excessive passion. Let the reading be a little monotonous, devoid of theatricality.
*Do not be discouraged because at first it is not clear what is said in the psalms. Gradually the beauty of ancient texts is revealed, and their meaning becomes clear.
Order of reading the Psalter at home:
*First, “Prayers before starting to read the Psalter” are read.
*The Psalter is divided into twenty kathismas, which are divided into parts by three Glories. At Slavy, when reading the Psalter at home, the living and the dead are remembered.
*After reading the kathisma, it is necessary to read troparia and prayers.
*The Psalter ends with the reading of “Prayers after reading several kathismas or the entire Psalter.”
*You should not be afraid of making a mistake in something or reading something incorrectly, not according to the regulations. Sincere repentance and gratitude for everything will make prayer alive, regardless of any mistakes.
As we read and grow spiritually, the deeper meaning of the psalms will be revealed more and more deeply.
Priest Anthony Ignatiev advises those who wish to read the Psalter: “To read the Psalter at home, it is advisable to take a blessing from the priest. When reading at home, there are strict instructions on how to read, it is much more important to tune in to prayer. There are different practices for reading the Psalter. It seems to me that reading is most acceptable when you do not depend on the amount of reading, i.e. are not required to read kathisma or two a day. If you have time and a spiritual need for prayer, you begin reading from where you left off last time, making a bookmark.”
If the laity adds one or more selected psalms to the cell prayer rule, then they read only their text, such as the fiftieth psalm in the morning rule.
If a kathisma, or several kathismas, is read, then special prayers are added before and after them.
Before starting to read a kathisma or several kathismas:
Through the prayers of the saints, our father, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Heavenly King. Trisagion. And according to Our Father...
Lord have mercy (12 times)
Come, let us worship our King God. (Bow)
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King God. (Bow)
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. (Bow)
On "Slava"
Where the kathisma is interrupted by the mark “Glory”, the following prayers are read:
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, glory to You, O God! (3 times)
Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Prayers for health and peace at Slavy:
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives (names), bosses, mentors, benefactors (names) and all Orthodox Christians.
Rest, O Lord, the souls of your departed servants (names) and all Orthodox Christians, and forgive them all sins, voluntary and involuntary, and grant them the Kingdom of Heaven.]
And now, and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.
After reading the kathisma, the prayers and troparia indicated in the kathisma are read.
The prayer “Lord, have mercy” is read 40 times.
Sometimes, at will, between the second and third tens (between 20 and 21 of the prayer “Lord, have mercy!”), a personal prayer of the believer is said for the closest people, for the most vital.
And at the end of the entire prayer:
It is worthy to eat as one truly blesses Thee, the Mother of God, ever-blessed and most immaculate and the Mother of our God. Most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison, the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the real Mother of God, we magnify Thee.
Glory, even now. Lord have mercy. (3 times)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother, by the power of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross and the holy heavenly powers, disembodied, and our reverend and God-bearing fathers, and the holy prophet David, and all the saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner, for I am good and Lover of humanity. Amen.
It is believed that everyone Orthodox Christian obliged to pray for their dead. For this purpose, there are sets of various traditions, rules and terms.
In order to avoid wandering in the rules, conventions and stereotypes with which this work of love has been enriched over more than 2 thousand years - prayer for a loved one.
Orthodox commemoration of the departed
Today, to remember the dead, it is customary to read the Psalter - a collection of Old Testament psalms (150 in total). They begin reading on the first day (or better, immediately after the fact of death is confirmed). You can perform prayer in person - that is, directly at the coffin of the deceased - or in absentia, for example, in a temple or at home. They usually read for up to 40 days, and stop at the fortieth day. In the future, often practice reading 40 days before the date of death and after, a total of 80 days. You can read both aloud and silently.
From the video you will learn how prayers help the deceased.
This book, which has long since become a liturgical book, since almost half of the texts of the service in churches consist either of its texts or imitations of them, can be read while sitting. This is what is called the “sciatic” book. You can also read while standing. But not lying down. The Holy Fathers, who through their relationship to the Heavenly Father acquired the Holy Spirit (that is, checked their inner state with God), teach that God does not hear those prayers in which the body is not tired and the heart does not grieve.
In general, the Psalter is a collection of psalms. The psalm, in turn, is a half-prayerful, half-poetic text that expresses literally all possible states of a person who has already begun his relationship with the Heavenly Father. There are several authors whose works have been imprinted in it for centuries. But the main content belongs to the Old Testament king named David, who is best known to us from the battle with Goliath.
However, for God himself this man was dear for other merits - for his meekness and kindness, his ability to forgive and not take revenge on his enemies. After all, these qualities that we inherit from God were extremely rare in the cruel times of David. Therefore, the spiritual state of this man holy before God is expressed in the psalms and sets the reader in an appropriate, peaceful mood. And a soul full of states and moods in tune with God is very pleasing to the Heavenly Father; He hears it and responds to its requests and needs. Through this, the deceased also receives great benefit.
From this video you will learn how to properly pray for the departed.
For ease of reading, the Psalter is divided into 20 chapters, each of which is called “kathisma”; it, in turn, includes 3-4 psalms. There is a pious tradition in the first three days before the burial of the deceased, 1 day on any of the indicated ones, to read the entire book at the coffin of the deceased. N.V. Gogol tried to tell part of this in his story “Viy”. Khoma Brut performs precisely this church obedience: he reads the Psalter at the tomb of the deceased.
Scheme for reading the Psalms
Vladyka Afanasy (Sakharov) devoted many works to help study the issue regarding how it is appropriate to pray according to this divinely inspired book at the tomb of the deceased. He notes in his research that in order for everything to go correctly, efficiently and without unnecessary difficulties, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules. He says that during the funeral reading there is no need to read the prayers that are placed after each kathisma.
They are intended for a simple cell rule (that is, when a person, simply for the sake of prayer to God, also includes one or more kathismas from the Psalter in his daily prayer rule). During the funeral prayer, it would be more “appropriate,” writes the Bishop, to recite a special prayer after each “Glory” (Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit), and after the end of the kathisma funeral prayer. It starts with the words “Remember, O Lord our God, in faith and hope...” . And also during the reading, the Bishop notes, it is appropriate to make five prostrations to the ground, and the troparion itself is read three times.
In accordance with the same ancient practice, the funeral reading of the Psalter is preceded by the reading of the Canon for the person who introduced himself, after which the psalms will begin. When the entire book has been read, the funeral Canon is again laid down. Upon completion, you can again begin the divinely inspired book. And so on in a circle throughout the reading of the Psalms for the repose.
How to remember the dead.
Order of reading the psalms
There is an established order for reading the psalter about the deceased. This church liturgical text is usually always placed before the first psalm. If it is not there, then you can turn to the online version, if this option is not available, then you can proceed with the following scheme:
- We say the opening prayer: “Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen".
- Next, “Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.”
- And then turn to the invocation of the Holy Spirit for joint prayer with God (prayer is not only a request, but also communication): “To the Heavenly King...”.
- After this, you can begin reading the kathisma.
- At each “Slava” (“Glory to the Father…”) a memorial prayer is read.
- After its completion and the reading of prayers after it, they end the prayer service with a prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos “It is worthy to eat...”. Because, according to the rules, if at the beginning of the prayer there was an invocation of the Holy Spirit, then it is appropriate to end one’s communication with the Heavenly Father through an address of gratitude to the Queen of Heaven.
Options for praying according to the Psalter for the repose
Sometimes for a one-time, but strong, that is, tangible for the deceased, mention, there is a tradition (and for good reason) to read from the entire book one kathisma, which, as was realized through rich church experience, is most suitable for expressing the feelings and moods of the deceased himself.
Such a kathisma, unique and most extraordinary, beautiful not only in its content, but also in artistic expression and language, this is the 17th kathisma. It is one of not only the most beautiful, but also one of the longest in the entire text of the book. Those who read this chapter have the opportunity to truly, even if relatively briefly remember the dear deceased, work for him (bring to God not only a word, but also an action, work), and the person praying himself receives great benefit from this for his soul.
Prayer for the dead and the emergence of tradition
As one Christian once said, rules (read - traditions) are needed for those who have not learned to love. The remark is at least fair. After all, if the heart itself does not lead a person to any good action in the name of the deceased, then one of the best options is to imitate in this those who showed their love for the dead with a full heart and received approval from the Lord. The person who became, one might say, the founder of the remembrance of the dead was the Old Testament military leader, according to the traditional Jewish name Judas. The story, which is associated with a significant event, is recorded in the Old Testament in the second book of Maccabees (see 12, 39−46).
As you know, when Abraham believed God (which was credited to him as righteousness forever), the Almighty promised his followers that if they kept his covenant (including not worshiping anyone other than Him), then the Jews will win all battles even with a minimum army. As long as His people kept the covenant, every battle they fought, according to Scripture, was won. And then one day the army of Judah suffered a crushing defeat.
The survivors and the military leader himself were in confusion, alarmed that God had somehow refused His word. When, according to the rules, they began to examine the bodies of the dead in order to send some of their belongings to their relatives, the soldiers discovered that many of them were wearing signs of idol worship. This became the explanation why victory was with the enemy.
The pious Jews thanked God, who did not hide the truth from them and honored them with His answer. It was then that Judas and the rest of God’s faithful stood up to pray for the fallen dead, so that the Lord would forgive the dead their sins. After praying, Judas turned to those who remained with an appeal not to retreat from God, who intercedes for them and honorably keeps the agreement between Himself and people, in order to avoid such horrific defeats and the needless death of people in the future. This act was accepted by the Almighty and highly appreciated and Judas was “counted as righteousness.”
There were other examples of people from the Old Testament when they showed concern for the dead, professing the unconditional existence of further life after the loss of the body:
- Jesus, the son of Sirach, writes in his Book of Wisdom that the need to help the dead as well as those on earth, he teaches to do good to those living not only here, but also there: “The grace of giving (that is, alms for the deceased, material and verbal - prayer) before everyone living, let him be, but he does not forbid grace even over the dead” (7, 36);
- The same author in the indicated book writes: “with the reassurance of the deceased, calm down the memory of him, according to the outcome of his soul, you will be comforted about him” (38, 23);
- The dying Tobit commands his son Tobius: “Distribute your bread at the grave”;
- Holy prophet Jeremiah in ch. 16 of his book he calls those cursed and rejected on behalf of God who are not remembered after death and do not give alms.
Prayer for the deceased 40 days
Many people who do not yet believe, but are in search of truth, are repulsed by some specific numbers and statements. After all, there are no fixed deadlines anywhere., documentary evidence that after a certain amount of time, if you do certain actions, everything will be fine with a person’s soul.
The video will tell you about remembering the dead.
The skepticism of such people is justified and understandable. After all, there really are no such documents. However, a person on the path needs to understand one thing: the only way to interact with God, as He himself said, is faith. We can draw a simple, although far from perfect, analogy: in order to interact with, for example, a magnet, you need metal. This condition. Anyone who wants to begin to interact with a magnet and touch its properties can express his dissatisfaction and disagreement for a long time, but still, if he does not do what is required, the magnet will remain silent.
To discover interaction with God, as countless people have done, and through approaching God have received part of his properties (overcoming nature, loving with divine love, healing, casting out evil spirits, seeing the future and seeing the true state of things), faith is needed. Many examples from the New Testament where Jesus performs miracles show that the first thing He, as God and the Son of God, looks for in a person is the ability to believe Him and His omnipotence.
You can start by taking on faith some church experience and the experience of people who have already approached God, a slightly mystical experience. We know about 40 days thanks to Blessed Theodora, a holy woman who received the opportunity posthumously, after she reached heaven, to report what she encountered along the way from earth to the Kingdom of God. It was she who named this figure - 40 Earth days. That’s how much time passed for us while she overcame this important path.
Thanks to the experience of Saint Theodora, we know exactly the period that is the most important for one who was called from the earth into another existence. We know that our constant mental presence through prayer for the called, is especially necessary in the first 40 days after the physical death of a person.
Why do they read the Psalter?
The following arguments will be indicative:
- The Psalter is one of the most effective ways to help the deceased. As you know, the soul’s free “flight” to its heavenly homeland is hindered by demons - evil spirits who claim to dispose of souls on an equal basis with God.
- The collection of psalms is an expression of the highest qualities of the human soul, which is sanctified by God, united with His Spirit and therefore has a special influence.
- Before the advent of the New Testament, it was the Psalter that was the book that could allow one to “reprimand” a person possessed by evil spirits and set him free.
- The Psalter allows you to protect the soul ascending to God from the evil spirits that traumatize it, and spiritually support the person praying, and help him express all his feelings, because this great book reflects almost all the situations that a Christian finds himself in during his life on earth.
Understanding the Psalms
- Approach one. Someone advises reading the Psalter for the dead and for the living, regardless of whether you understand what you are reading or not. The main consideration: man does not understand, but the evil spirits understand everything and retreat in fear, because God himself is at work here. After some time, the one who prays regularly will, in turn, begin to understand over time, because the Lord begins to reveal the meaning to man. However, this happens gradually.
- Approach two. Others strongly recommend resorting to translations into Russian, writing down incomprehensible words, expressions, terms and using a Church Slavonic dictionary to translate them into Russian. Advised to read historical information about the creation of any psalm and apply the explanations of the holy fathers and theologians.
You can find such explanations in the church store and on useful Christian websites. And also, in order to understand the meaning of each individual psalm, one should study the Holy Scriptures. For example, the Second Book of Samuel will explain to the reader how to understand Psalm 50. It explains what its author, King David, experienced before he wrote it.
To any reader of the Psalms(experienced or inexperienced), it is more decent to stand like a person praying (at the feet of the coffin of the deceased), unless a particular extreme forces him to sit down. Negligence in this matter, as in the observance of other pious customs, is offensive both to the sacred rite, blessed by the Holy Church, and to the word of God, which, if carelessly, is read as if in conflict with the intention and feeling of the praying Christian.
Video
From this video you will learn how to correctly read the Psalter for the deceased.
The custom of reading or singing psalms at the tomb of the deceased comes from deep early Christian antiquity. According to Tradition, the apostles spent three days at the tomb Mother of God in psalmody. The “Apostolic Constitutions” prescribe: “When burying the dead, sing them with psalms.” A tradition has developed at the grave of bishops and priests, as preachers and ministers of the Word of God, to read Holy Gospel, and at the grave of the deacons and all other deceased Orthodox Christians, read the Psalter.
Reading the Psalter for departed Christians, on the one hand, is help and consolation on the part of the living to the soul of the deceased, which at this time stands before God, awaiting His righteous judgment. If during our earthly life we sometimes need prayer help, then how can we overestimate its importance at this moment, when the fate of the soul in eternity is being decided! Fatherland Prologues are full of tales about how the prayers of relatives and monastery brethren helped a deceased person get rid of eternal torment, begged God for mercy, or at least supported his soul, softened suffering.
On the other hand, reading the Psalter, like the funeral service, is necessary not only for the deceased, but also for his loved ones. When a person is left alone with his pain and loss, his soul is seized by despair, and the consequences can be very serious. And if at this moment he turns to God and prayer fills the emptiness in his soul, the person will definitely feel support and help.
In addition, the death of a loved one is an edifying example for a thinking person. He understands that he will have to go the same way. And the words of the psalms and prayers heard at the funeral service can give such a person food for thought, show what the meaning of life and death is.
Read more about the order of reading the Psalter in this case.
At the very moment of death or immediately after it, one should read the Sequence on the departure of the soul from the body. This follow-up is intended to alleviate the mental suffering of the dying person. Then the relatives begin reading the Psalter. Kathismas are read one after another. If it is possible to establish a sequence, the Psalter is read continuously until the funeral service. If not, continue reading as much as possible.
The reading is preceded by the usual prayer beginning, then the kathismas are read. After each article on “Slava” a special prayer is read for the newly deceased. This prayer is also read at the funeral service and placed in the hand of the deceased. The Psalter is read directly near the body of the deceased or, if relatives cannot come, in absentia. After the burial, the reading of the Psalter about the newly deceased continues until the fortieth day: kathisma per day.
A church person, of course, should take a blessing to read the Psalter about the newly deceased from a priest. After all, in any case, he will come to church with his pain, and the priest will learn about the death of a loved one or relative of his parishioner. If a person rarely comes to church and knows little about faith, there will be nothing terrible if he reads the Psalter without a blessing. Perhaps for some this will be their first acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures. The human soul softens most in moments of sorrow. And perhaps the seed that falls into the soul during the reading of the Psalter, the funeral service, will subsequently sprout. I have met people who, precisely after the death of their loved ones, thought about the meaning of life, about their sins, repented and came to God.
Why can you sit while reading kathismas?
Actually, the very word “kathisma”, which is translated from Greek as “sitting”, indicates this liturgical practice. This tradition passed into parish churches from monasteries. In monastic services, the reading of kathisma takes place a large number of time. At this time, the monks, as a rule, pray the Jesus Prayer and listen to the reading of the Psalter. If other sequences are precisely prayerful appeals to God, then reading kathismas is also perceived as edifying reading.
It turns out that the psalms can be read not only as a prayer?
The Psalter is a unique book that can be read both as a prayer and as edifying reading. And this is exactly how it is used in worship. Not only in church, but also at home, the Psalter can be read exactly like a book, and not like prayer appeal. I had an acquaintance who was a Muslim by birth, a typically Eastern person. After a series of life’s sorrows and trials, he consciously came to Christ. Church Slavonic was difficult for him, but Old Testament he loved it very much. And he often read the Psalter, discussing each psalm. It was very interesting to listen to these discussions. For him, the Psalter was both prayer, food for thought, and a storehouse of everyday experience.
There are passages in the Psalter that are very difficult to understand. Are there translations or interpretations of the psalms?
Of course they do. First of all, this synodal translation Bibles in Russian, made in the 19th century. The translation used the texts of the Holy Scriptures in ancient Greek and Hebrew. This is a very competent translation, which we still use today.
During services and in home prayer, psalms are read in Slavic. For a better understanding of them, you can use the educational Psalter, where the translation is given specifically from Church Slavonic.
Undoubtedly, to modern man It is difficult to understand not only the letter, but also the very spirit of the psalms. Therefore, it is imperative to read works that provide an interpretation of the Psalter, not only historical, but also spiritual, educational. The most famous interpretations belong to St. John Chrysostom, Athanasius the Great, Theodoret of Cyrus. They are characterized by a symbolic interpretation of the Psalms, which can give the reader a deeper, more sublime understanding of the psalms.