Sermon of St. Basil the Great: The value of psalmody

Homily on Psalm I

Everything in the scripture has been divinely inspired, and has its uses. The Holy Spirit has dictated it in such a way that everyone can choose from it, as from a dispensary open to all, the remedy suited to his malady.

Great harm, it is written, by its healing touch may yet be assuaged. The Psalter contains in itself whatever is good in all other books. It foretells the future, it recalls facts of history, it gives rules of life, it suggests practical attitudes of mind. Briefly, it is a treasure-house of good doctrine from which all can draw; it gives carefully what will be useful for each individual. It cures all the old wounds of the soul and brings a speedy cure for fresh ones. It heals all that is sick and preserves what is in good health. It suppresses completely, as far as possible, the interior movements which in so many ways, in human life, tyrannize over souls; and it does this in so charming and pleasing a manner as to bring health to the soul. For the Holy Spirit well knows that humanity does not easily tend to virtue, and our eagerness for the pleasurable makes us neglect the right path. Then what does he do? He gives his instructions melodiously, so that, without our knowing it, the teaching of the words will sink into us with the charm and sweetness of the sounds. It is what good doctors often do when they have to give a disagreeable medicine to an invalid without appetite: they smear some honey on the edge of the glass. Psalmody gives tranquility to souls, brings peace by mastering surging thoughts. It calms anger and represses concupiscence.

Psalmody strengthens friendship, unites those who are estranged, reconciles those who are angry, for who could consider as an enemy one who united his voice with his in praise of God? Psalmody also gives the greatest of goods, charity: it unites all into one choir. It puts the devils to flight and insures the help of the angels. It is a protection against the fears of night-time, a rest in the labours of the day. It strengthens children, adorns the young, consoles the aged and beautifies women. It peoples solitude, it stills agitated assemblies. It is the voice of the Church. It gives splendour to festivals. It gives rise to the sadness which comes from God; from a heart of stone it can draw tears.

Psalmody is the occupation of the angels, it is the life of heaven, it is the spiritual sacrifice. It contains true theology: the prophecies of the Incarnation, the threats of judgement, the hope of resurrection, the fear of punishment, the promise of glory, the revelation of mysteries—all these are gathered up in the book of Psalms, a great treasure-house open to all the world.