St. Basil the Great: Homily on Psalm 1: The value
of psalmody
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 work
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 splendor 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.
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