Borisova N.P. The Six Psalms.Its content, features and spiritual meaning   

What determines the set of psalms included in the Six Psalms? And why were these and not others chosen out of the 150 Psalms? The author has set herself the task of trying to find the spiritual meaning of this choice together with the reader, relying on the interpretations of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church.

THE PLACE OF THE SIX PSALMS IN ORTHODOX WORSHIP

GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF THE SIX PSALMS

The Life of King David According to the Six Psalms

Comparative Analysis of the Content of the Psalms

Compositional features of the Six Psalms

THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE SIX PSALMS

The Psalmist's Condition of Soul According to the Six Psalms

The Messianic Theme in the Six Psalms

CONCLUSION

THE PLACE OF THE SIX PSALMS IN ORTHODOX WORSHIP

In Orthodox worship, the Six Psalms are usually called six selected psalms, successively sung at Matins: 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, 142. This moment of the church service stands out for its "minor sound" [1] and the austerity of the setting: the Holy Doors are closed in the church, the lights are turned off, the candles are extinguished; The reader from the middle of the church, as if on behalf of all the faithful standing motionless around, pronounces the words of the Psalms – a prayer of sorrow, repentance and hope. The Six Psalms are read unfailingly at every morning service (daily, Saturday and Sunday) throughout the year, except for the days of Bright Paschal Week, which indicates its great importance. Orthodox interpreters, emphasizing the special significance of the Six Psalms in the morning service, see in it a reflection of the greatest event in the life of mankind – the coming of the Savior into the world. This main idea of the Six Psalms is revealed in the context of Vespers and Matins, two interrelated church services, symbolizing respectively (Old Testament and New Testament times.

From the darkness of this night, the suffering soul of the Old Testament people prays in tense anticipation with the words of the Psalmist David about the coming of the Messiah: Lord, I call upon Thee, hear me... (Psalm 140:1), bring my soul out of prison... (Psalm 141:8), from the depths I have cried out to Thee, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice... (Psalm 129:1). The Old Testament prophets prepare the people for the coming of the Savior: I will bless the Lord always, I will bring forth His praise in my mouth... (Psalm 33:2), feeling that only those who fear Him, His saints, the meek and lowly in spirit, will recognize Him, receive His Word and find salvation.

But when Vespers is over, the Old Testament time is over, a new time has come, and the Savior has been born. The Angels proclaim this three times (in honor of the Holy Trinity): "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:17). Matins, the New Testament service, begins. What do the words of the Angelic Song mean? They say that the glory of God is sung first of all by the celestials (glory in the highest), who rejoice in the redemption of mankind; that the Saviour brought peace to earth, that is, reconciled sinful mankind with God (and peace on earth), Who thereby manifested His love for people (good will toward men). After the Angelic Hymn, it is the person who wants to give praise to God and asks for Divine assistance in this with the words of the 50th Psalm: "Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise" (Psalm 50:17). These words are repeated twice, as a reflection of the ancient antiphonal (that is, for two choirs) singing. Then the lights go out, and the reader begins to read the Six Psalms.