What are the Psalms and Kathismas
Kathismas are the names given to sections of one of the most famous Old Testament books, the Psalter. The name of this book comes from the word “psaltery,” which denoted an ancient stringed musical instrument similar to the Russian gusli. The term “kathisma” comes from the word “sitting” (you can listen to the reading of kathisma at services while sitting). In total, there are 20 kathismas in the Psalter. Each of them consists of a certain number of prayer chants - psalms. For example, Kathisma 1 contains 8 psalms. In total, the Psalter contains one and a half hundred such chants.
Psalter
The composition of most of the psalms of the Psalter is traditionally attributed to the Hebrew king and prophet David, who lived a thousand years before the birth of Christ. Moses, Solomon and some others are also considered the authors of individual chants. The Psalter is a sacred book not only in Christian denominations, but also in Judaism. Also, this collection of psalms is reflected in the Islamic Zabur - a text that was revealed by Allah to the prophet David.
The psalms differ from each other in content. Some are filled with joyful praise and thanksgiving to God. Others express tearful pleas to Him. There are also psalms that are similar to historical reviews. However, all these chants have a common cross-cutting theme - the relationship between man and God.
Written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the psalms are considered models of reverent and poetic prayer. They contain ready-made poetic formulas reflecting various states of the soul, forms of dialogue with the Almighty. Therefore, psalms are read by Christians not only at divine services, but also in various life situations. Saint John Chrysostom points out that the psalms
“they bring great benefit, great edification, great sanctification and serve as a guide to all wisdom, because their words cleanse the soul, and the Holy Spirit quickly descends into the soul singing these songs” (Complete Collection of Creations. Volume 5).
Those believers who do not understand the Church Slavonic language well can read the Psalter in Russian.
“Let the psalm be continually in your mouth. The called name of God drives away demons and sanctifies the psalmist” (Works of St. Ephraim the Syrian. Volume 2).
The history of writing the psalm
The title emphasizes that it was David who wrote this psalm, although the Holy Church attributes all the psalms to him, as well as the overall design of the book of Psalms itself, but still there are other opinions. And this is the initial psalm, the very first one, they decided to sign that this is David’s psalm, the Psalter begins with it.
Attention! There is no confirmation in the Latin, Greek and Hebrew versions of the prayer that King David was the author of the work.
Because Psalm 1 is a meditative song, it does not contain any historical facts. This also makes it difficult to establish the time when the psalm was written and its authorship.
The content of the psalm only indicates the difference between what fate awaits righteous and wicked people, and is perfect as an introduction to the book of Psalms.
Because of earlier references (such as the Book of Acts), historians have decided that the first and second psalms were once a single song.
If the researchers are right, then we can say for sure that the authorship of the first two psalms really belongs to King David, during his war with the Ammonites and Syrians (these historical events are described in the Book of Kings).
What is Kathisma 1 about?
Each section of the Psalter, in turn, contains 3 parts - articles. A doxology is read between them, which is why the articles are also called “slavas.” The eight psalms of the first kathisma are distributed in it as follows: in the first and second articles there are three psalms each, and in the third there is one. The opening Psalm, Kathisma 1, is also called “Blessed is the man,” since the first psalm begins with these words. It says that happy is the righteous man who avoids evil deeds and honors God's commandments. Such a person is compared to a green tree standing by the water that bears fruit. The sinner in the psalm is likened to dust that will be blown away by the wind. This is an unfortunate person who is waiting for death.
The second Psalm tells us that those who attack the righteous and anointed of God (a ruler who is blessed by the Most High) will fail. The chant contains a call not to stray from the true path and to trust in God. The third psalm instructs on prayer in dangerous situations and says that the righteous man who trusts in God is not afraid of any troubles. The fourth Psalm again shows us that God protects His faithful. David thanks the Almighty for the spiritual joy He has given.
The fifth psalm contains the author’s prayers to God for protection from enemies, as well as for the strengthening of the righteous. The sixth Psalm expresses the repentance of the sinner and the joy of His forgiveness. In the seventh psalm we see David's trust in God and praise to Him. The eighth psalm contains praise to the Most High and admiration for His greatness both on earth and in heaven. The author is joyfully surprised at how high God has elevated man above all of his creation.
Psalter. Kathisma 1. Psalm 1. Interpretation by verse:
- First verse. A righteous person avoids enemies and evil, as well as all kinds of temptations. He directed all his strength to resist temptation.
- Second verse. A righteous person directs every word meaningfully to the Lord. They do not diverge from the law of God. He has nothing to do with the wicked.
- Third verse. Sincere faith in the Creator will elevate a righteous person: physically, spiritually and materially.
- Fourth, fifth and sixth verses. They tell about the confrontation between sinners and righteous people. They will all face God's judgment.
Interesting! The first song is an occasion for reflection. This verse describes a person who leads a righteous life. He is not religious, but at the same time he observes the law of God.
When the First Kathisma is read
Like the entire Psalter, Kathisma 1 and its individual psalms are used in Orthodox services. It is sung on the eve of Sundays and holidays. The 3rd Psalm is read at the Six Psalms, an important part of Matins. The 5th Psalm is included in the First Hour. Also, Kathisma 1 is not read in its entirety at the services of the weeks of Great Lent (except for the fifth). These psalms can be heard at Sunday Vespers and at Matins on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. During Great Lent, the psalms of the first kathisma are also read at the 3rd and 6th Hours of Monday and at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th Hours of Wednesday.
Kathisma 1 is read in full and according to the psalms by Orthodox Christians and in cell prayer. The Monk Arseny of Cappadocia advised using the psalms of the Psalter in various everyday situations. According to his teachings, Psalm 1 should be read when planting trees or grapes so that there will be good fruit. Psalm 2 - for enlightenment by the Lord before meetings and councils. The 3rd Psalm is advised by the Monk Arseny to be read to reduce human malice. Psalm 4 will help soft-hearted people not to lose heart when they witness the deeds of the hard-hearted. When dealing with the intrigues of evildoers, the 7th Psalm should be read.
Listen to Psalm 1
The Psalter is a universal thing. It can be sung and read in joy, in sorrow, and on the occasion of some celebrations, and on the occasion of the death or birth of someone. The Psalter is read for any occasion: both for health and for peace.
For some reason, many people have the impression that the Psalter is something for the dead. Nothing like this. This is the most widely read book of the Bible. It is used very widely in Divine services (almost half is the Psalter).
During the liturgy, the daily antiphons are simply read as psalms. A huge amount of chants are taken from the psalms. Now we invite you to listen to how Psalm 1 sounds:
1 Kathisma performed by the Valaam Monastery sounds especially beautiful.
Interesting! The never-ending psalter received this name for the reason that its reading is carried out without interruption, around the clock. This prayer should only be prayed in monasteries.
Psalms and Kathisma 1: the benefits of reading psalms
For Christians, the Psalter has served since ancient times as a precious source of moral teaching and consolation in difficult moments of life. Careful reading of the psalms instructs and pleases the Christian, prompting him to thank and praise God. Priest Dimitry Shishkin says that the greatest benefit of the Psalter lies in
“the possibility of the closest and most lively prayerful communication between a person and God. The purpose of such communication is our sanctification and sharing in the goodness of God.”
Priest Valery Dukhanin emphasizes that the Psalter is spiritual protection from dark forces and “a tuning fork that sets a very precise tone for all spiritual life.” St. Ephraim the Syrian calls the psalm the silence of the soul, the joy of lovers of God, and the attraction of angelic help. Psalm
“and brings tears from a heart of stone... The psalm is the enlightenment of souls, the sanctification of bodies” (Creations of St. Ephraim the Syrian. Volume 2).
Saint John Chrysostom indicates that psalms can be sung
“and without a voice, when the soul inside makes sounds, because we sing not for people, but for God, Who can hear hearts and penetrate into the innermost depths of our soul” (Complete Collection of Creations. Volume 5).
That is, the psalms, including kathisma 1, can also be read in the mind. The main thing is to do this not automatically, but sincerely and reverently. The Holy Venerable Seraphim of Sarov instructed:
“Feat and great vigilance are required so that during psalmody our mind harmonizes with our hearts and lips, so that in our prayer no stench is mixed with incense” (“Spiritual Instructions for Monks and Laity”).
Psalter in Russian: Kathisma 1
(Translation by E. Birukova, I. Birukova)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Heavenly King. Trisagion. And according to Our Father.
Psalm of David, 1
Blessed is the man who did not follow the advice of the wicked, and did not enter the path of sinners, and did not sit in the congregation of the destroyers;
But his will is in the law of the Lord, and he will learn His law day and night.
And he will be like a tree planted by springs of water, which brings forth its fruit in its season; and his leaves will not fall, and he will prosper in everything that he does.
It will not be so with the wicked, not so! But they are like dust swept away by the wind from the face of the earth.
Therefore the wicked will not rise for judgment, nor sinners for the council of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm of David, 2
Why were the peoples and tribes indignant and thinking vain things?
The kings of the earth rose up, and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against His Anointed. They say:
“Let us break the bonds They have imposed and overthrow Their yoke!”
But He who dwells in Heaven will laugh at them, the Lord will put them to shame;
Then He will express His will to them in anger and with His wrath will plunge them into confusion.
And I have been made king over Zion, His holy mountain,
Proclaim the commandment of the Lord. The Lord said to me: “You are My son, you are now born of Me.
Ask of Me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your possession.
You will rule them with a rod of iron, like a potter’s vessels, and you will crush them!”
And now, kings, understand, learn, judges of the earth!
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him with trembling!
Accept the instruction, so that the Lord will not be angry and you will not perish, leaving the path of the righteous, for His wrath will soon kindle! Blessed are all who trust in Him!
Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son, 3
Lord, why have my persecutors multiplied so much? Many are rebelling against me;
Many say to my soul: “There is no salvation for him in his God!”
But You, Lord, are my Protector, my glory, and You lift up my head.
I called to my Lord, and He heard me from His holy mountain.
I fell asleep and slept, but I arose, for the Lord is my Protector.
I will not be afraid of thousands of people attacking me from everywhere.
Arise, Lord, save me, my God! For You have struck down all those who are at enmity with me unrighteously, You have crushed the teeth of sinners.
You, Lord, give salvation, and Your blessing is upon Your people.
At the end, song, psalm of David, 4
When I called, God heard me, knowing my righteousness, and in the tightness of grief gave me space. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer!
Sons of men, how long will you be hard-hearted? Why do you love vanity and why do you seek lies?
Know this: the Lord has made His righteous one wondrous. The Lord will hear me when I call on Him.
When you are angry, do not sin; what you said during the day in your heart, on your bed, regret!
Sacrifice by works of righteousness and trust in the Lord! Many people say:
“Who will show us good?” The radiance of Your face has been imprinted on us, O Lord.
You have given joy to my heart; And they were made rich by the fruit of the wheat, and by their wine and oil.
I will sleep and rest in peace, for You, Lord, have instilled in me the only hope.
About the inheritor, Psalm of David, 5
Hear my words, Lord, accept my call!
Heed my prayer, my King and my God; I will pray to you, Lord!
In the morning hear my voice; In the morning I will appear before You, and You will see me.
For You, O God, do not like iniquity: the wicked man will not dwell with You,
And the wicked shall not stand before Thy sight; You have hated all the workers of iniquity,
You will destroy all who speak lies; The Lord abhors a wicked man who sheds blood.
And I, according to Your great mercy, will enter Your house, I will worship Your holy temple in fear of You.
Lord, guide me with Your righteousness, in the face of my enemies, direct the path of my life to You!
For there is no truth in their mouth, their heart is vain, their throat is an open tomb, they deceive with their tongue. Judge them, O God!
May they fall away from their plans! For their great wickedness, cast them down, for they have angered You, O Lord!
And let all who trust in You rejoice! They will rejoice forever, and You will dwell in them; and those who love Your name will boast in You.
For You bless the righteous, O Lord; With favor, like a weapon, You protected us.
Finally, the song of the eighth day, Psalm of David, 6
Lord, do not reprove me in Your wrath and do not punish me in Your anger!
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are shaken,
And my soul is in great confusion... Oh, Lord, how long?...
Turn, Lord, deliver my soul, save me according to Your mercy!
For none of the dead remember You, and in hell who will confess Your greatness?
I am exhausted from my sighs, I wash my bed with tears every night, I water my bed with my tears.
My eyes were dimmed with grief, I became weak among my enemies.
Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, for the Lord has heard my cry!
The Lord heard my prayer, the Lord accepted my prayer.
May my enemies be ashamed and dismayed, may they turn back and be put to shame soon!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God! (three times, with three bows) . Lord, have mercy (three times) . Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
A psalm of David, sung by him to the Lord after the words of Hushai the son of Jemeniah, 7
Lord my God, I trust in You, save me from my persecutors, deliver me!
May the enemy, like a lion, not snatch away my soul when there is no deliverer and intercessor!
Lord my God, if I have done something bad, if I have defiled my hands with unrighteousness,
If I have taken revenge on the one who does evil to me, may I be defeated by my enemies!
May the enemy pursue my soul, and may he overtake me, and trample my life into the ground, and reduce my glory to dust!
Arise, O Lord, in Thy wrath, rise above the borders of Thy enemies; Be exalted, O Lord my God, that what You have commanded may be accomplished!
And a host of people will surround You, and rise above them!
The Lord judges the nations. Judge me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my kindness!
May the anger of sinners dry up! Instruct the righteous, O God, You who search hearts and souls with righteousness!
God, who saves all who keep the truth in their hearts, will help me!
God the Judge is righteous, and mighty, and long-suffering; He does not show His wrath every day.
If you do not turn to Him, He will sharpen His weapon; He has strained His bow and keeps it ready.
And He put the instruments of death into the bowstring, He made His arrows fiery.
Now the sinner fell ill with unrighteousness, conceived malice and gave birth to lawlessness.
He dug a ditch and deepened it, but he himself will fall into the hole he dug.
His anger will turn on his head, and his iniquity will fall on his crown.
I will glorify the Lord for His just judgment and sing the name of the Lord Almighty!
At the end, about the winepress, Psalm of David, 8
O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Your name throughout all the earth! For Your greatness has risen above the heavens!
Through the lips of babes and sucklings, praise is made to You in the face of Your enemies, in order to crush the enemy and the avenger.
Here I look at the heavens, the works of Your hands, at the moon and stars created by You!
Who is the man that you remember him? Or son of man, why do you visit him?
You made him a little lower than the angels, You crowned him with glory and honor;
And He set him over the works of Your hands, You put all things in subjection under his feet:
Sheep and oxen and every beast of the field,
Birds of the air and fish of the sea passing through the paths of the sea.
O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Your name throughout all the earth!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God! (three times, with three bows) .
After kathisma 1 Trisagion according to Our Father.
