The life of the prophet David was never easy. On the way, dangers and trials awaited him. The Mother of God alone was unable to cope with these problems, and David turned to God. The reflection of his life's troubles is revealed to the world by the Psalter.
If many psalms cannot reliably explain to the reader when and where the event took place. Psalm 3 clarifies the circumstances under which this song was written, trusting in the mercy of the Lord.
Attention! We recommend that you read the prayer for money and prosperity by going here.
History of writing
No matter what obstacles appeared on the path of the Old Testament prophet, he relied on the only power that could protect him from adversity. For the love of the Lord our God. Then the Mother of God had not yet appeared, and the Old Testament world was under the protection of God. David was constantly pursued by enemies who wanted to harm him.
Most of David's psalms and lamentations are dedicated to such events. However, not everything in life is sorrow and suffering. Psalm 3 tells us about a period in the life of the prophet filled with hope for the best. "When he fled from his son Absalom."
This phrase refers us to a specific period of the Kingdom of Judah. The context of the writing becomes clearer and, based on historical facts, we can form a picture of the events that prompted David to flee Jerusalem.
The son of David is ambitious and selfish. His insane desire for power was unhealthy. Having a desire to overthrow his father and become king of Judah, Absalom lured powerful people to his side. David found out about this and fled from Jerusalem.
At this moment, the future prophet was going through hard times. His health was broken, the betrayal of his best friend and son only aggravated his illnesses. Mental exhaustion promised death for the king. His son raised troops and rushed in search of the fugitive. It is not difficult to imagine the situation David was in.
This is why we cannot detect positive thoughts at the beginning of the verse. Everything is saturated with sadness and despondency. However, closer to the middle of the story, David still turns his thoughts to the Lord. Then the crying stops and the period of praising God and his Gifts begins.
The Psalter of the Holy Prophet and King David is one of the sacred books of the Old Testament, in the Greek and Slavic tradition, consisting of one hundred and fifty-one psalms. The book of Psalms is based on psalms created by King David in the 11th-10th centuries before the birth of Christ. The remaining psalms were written later, at different times, by the successors of King David, “choir directors” who had poetic and prophetic gifts. But since the psalms of the great inspired poet-prophet and King David seem to set the tone for all that follows, it is customary to call the entire Psalter David’s. In the Orthodox Church, the Psalter is heard at every morning and evening service; it is read in its entirety per week, and twice per week during Lent. The Psalter is the primary source of most morning and evening prayers; the verses of the psalms formed the basis for all sequences of public and private worship. Since the first centuries of Christianity, there has been a practice of private reading of the Psalter.
Since ancient times, the Psalter has attracted the very special and exclusive attention of teachers of the Church. In this book they saw a condensed repetition of everything that is contained in the Bible - historical narrative, edification, prophecy.
Saint Basil the Great Fr. St. John Chrysostom also speaks about this: “In the Psalter you will find countless benefits. Have you fallen into temptation? “You will find the best consolation in her.” Falling into poverty or misfortune? “You will see many havens there... If your sins plunge you into despair, you will find great encouragement there... If you are struck by sorrow, you will hear consolation... Every word there contains an endless sea of thoughts.”
The Psalter was translated into the Slavic language in the 9th century by Saints Cyril and Methodius, Equal-to-the-Apostles, from the Greek church text and immediately became the favorite reading of the Russian people, the main educational book in ancient Rus'.
It should be emphasized that the Church Slavonic language of the Psalter - powerful, figurative, majestic, never used in everyday life to express everyday needs - is called upon to express theological truths, prayerful movements of the soul and the subtlest shades of thought. It teaches understanding of the spiritual meaning of things and events; elevates a person, helping him rise from everyday life into the sphere of higher, religious feeling.
In the patristic tradition, it is customary to divide the Psalter into 20 sections - kathisma, each of which, in turn, is divided into three subsections, Glories. The verse of the next kathisma begins with a prayer: Come, let us worship..., and ends with the reading of the prescribed prayers and troparia. The verse of the entire Psalter also begins and ends with the reading of prayers.
When to read Psalm 3
The psalm of David in question is part of the Six Psalms, which unites the Psalter. They are usually read at evening Orthodox services. The psalms have amazing power, which is why, in addition to churches, they are also allowed to be read at home. However, create special conditions at home: prepare an icon and light candles. Only then start reading Akathism 3.
Important! Candles create the necessary mood. In dim light, the realization of the state of the Christian’s soul takes place. The turmoil in which the Old Testament prophet once found himself. It is in this state that the Lord will show you the right path. At home it is read the same way in the evening.
Akathism 3 has special power when read in certain life situations:
- When there is a feeling that the Lord has left our world, faith in His holy Gifts begins to fade.
- Troubles strike continuously and seem to have no intention of stopping.
- A believer begins to be surrounded by obvious and imaginary enemies (vices, evil people in sin, passions, etc.)
- Emotions cannot be controlled. Joy gives way to despondency, the world turns gray.
- When there is no obvious way out of the situation. A dead end and no way back.
Why is this akathism read? In order to recover from despondency.. Despair acts like poison, gradually killing a person from the inside. Generates spiritual suicides. Focus on your faith and call the Lord into your life, as the prophet David once did. Only a pure heart, noble aspirations and strong faith will allow your akathisma to reach His ears.
Interpretation
Unlike other laments, the third psalm is accompanied by emotional intensity. The interpretation of the meaning is that the narration of past events and the description of pure feelings and strong faith in the Lord are combined.
If you take a detailed analysis of the verses of Akathism 3, you can understand what feelings the prophet experienced and what confusion his soul was in.
- Verse 1-3. Here David talks about how he was betrayed by people dear to him. Something happened that shouldn’t have happened: people forgot about God. They also forgot that he was chosen by the Lord to rule. Thus, in such a fall of faith, David still does not turn away from his Master and continues to believe that peace and tranquility will come.
- Verse 4-5. In these verses, the Lord heard the prayers and protected him from danger throughout the entire journey. Yes, it was hard for the prophet, for sadness and grief consumed him. But God’s faith and love helped him move forward, gradually healing his soul.
- Verse 6. David was healed and his physical and spiritual strength increased. The fear of enemies has disappeared. The Lord was on the side, which means that the prophet had the power to change the evil laws established by his son and those close to him.
- Verse 7-8. The final victory of David and the Lord. The treacherous son-traitor Absalom was deposed, God returned to the life of the Jews. Here the prophet praises God for His Gifts and how He carefully protects all His people from darkness and demonic influence. All David's words are dedicated to His glory.
The essence of the chant is that faith in God always leads to the right path. David had a chance to succumb to despondency and lose his own light. But remembering that despondency is an illness that corrupts the soul, I did not doubt the love of God. Together with their Lord, they overcame great difficulties, the spirit became stronger and the fear of obvious and imaginary enemies ceased to torment him.
Even if you are overwhelmed by sadness, choked by melancholy, killed by despondency, the only healing you can receive is healing by the love of the Lord. Reading a prayer is what you can do. Only He is able to protect you and heal your illnesses. It's always hard at the beginning. All you have to do is maintain true faith in Divine Providence and not give up on your Master.
Text of prayer Psalm 3
In Church Slavonic
Traditionally, the Old Church Slavonic language is used during services. You can also listen to live performances there. This approach to business is considered a tradition that cannot be accepted. Usually, at the request of the believer, Psalm 3 is read in person in the temple. In this case, it is recommended to keep all accents.
The Church Slavonic language is difficult for a modern Christian. If you have problems reading or understanding a certain word, or Psalm 3 the text of which does not fit in your head, then do not hesitate to ask the Holy Father for help. He will always help, because prayer is the right thing, bringing both soul and body closer to the City of God, where God and the Mother of God sit.
In Russian
The Church keeps up with the times and has prepared a Russian synodal translation of the third psalm. This option is suitable for all Christians. Psalm 3 in Russian is modernized and understood by everyone. You can read such a chant at home, letting every word pass through you in the hope of understanding its meaning. And he will be understood. The text of the prayer in Russian is recommended for familiarization by those Christians who are preparing to perform lamentations in Church Slavonic.
Kathisma 15 in Church Slavonic
kafi1sma, є7i. pl0мъ Дв7довъ, Rє.
And #confessz gDvi ћkw blg, ћkw in the 8th century mercy є3gw2. Who2 exclaimed the power of gDnz, they were heard to create all the praise2 є3гw2. The Blessed Ones are the guardians of the law, and the creators of the truth at all times. Remember2 us in the favor of your people, bless2 us with your salvation. See yours in goodness and your chosen ones, rejoice in your joy, praise yours with dignity. Sins with our principles, without law, are not true. Our people in є3гЂпte do not understand your miracles, nor remember your many mercy. And # your anger rises into the black sea. and3 saved and4x and4self for the sake of knowing your strength2. And # forbid 2 the black sea and 3 and 3 zssche, and 3 instruct | in 8 abyss ћкw in 8 deserts. And # saved both 4x and 3z8 hands2 of the hated, and3 and3 delivered both 4x and 3z8 hands2 of the enemy. Cover 2 water with cold and 4m, є3д1нъ t neither 1хъ іззхст. And # you believed the words2 є3гw2, and3 sang praiseY є3гw2. I quickly forgot my business є3гw2, not tolerating the advice є3гw2. And # you wanted desire in 8 deserts, and 3 and 3 tasted bGa in 8 without 8 in 0 days. And # gave and4m request and4x, the message is in dsh7ah and4x. And # angered your mwmсez in 8 stanY and 3 garHna s™agw gDнz. Tverzezz of the earth, and3 devoured dafan, and3 covered2 on 0nmischi ґvirna. And # 8zhesz џgn in s0nme and 4x, 2 sinners fell into the flame. And # created a calf in 8 hori1ve, and 3 worshiped 1shasz and 3knocked. And# and3change1sha glory є3гw2, in8 pod0bіe calfA kdyagw herbsY. And # zabhsha bGa saving and4x, sotv0rshago veliz in є3гЂпte. Miracles in 8 earth2 hamove, terrible in 8 m0ri black. And the speech to consume and 4x, not yet 2 mwmsey and 3 chosen є3гw2 became in8 contrition before 8 none, return ћ3гw2, so as not to destroy є4х. And destroy the desired land. not ћsha faith words2 є3гw2. And # murmuring in 8 villages, not listening to your voice. And # raised your hand2 on us, and cast them down into8 the wilderness. And # lower18th thisz and4x into kzhtsekh, and3 squander1ti | to countries2. And # participle 1shasz veelfeg0r, and3 snad0sha sacrifices of the dead. And # angered you and 5 in 8 your beginnings, and 3 ўmn0zhizz in 8 your fall. And# stA finees and3 ўgodi2, and3 stopa whipping. I# vmeni1sz є3мY в8 pravdu в8 р0дъ i3 р0дъ d0 veka. And# angered and5 on the water prerekaniz, and3 њѕл0bleн bhst mwmsey and4хъ for the sake of. Ћкw њgorchi1sha d¦є є3гw2, и3 raznstvova ўstnama ўstnama. I didn’t consume kzhki, as I said. And# mix1shasz in kzhtsekh, and3 skill0sha affairs and4x. And # enslaved and 3 knocked and 4x, and 3 bhst and 4m in 8 temptation. And # devoured your dreams, and 3 daughters your S demons. And # shed blood that was not to be confessed. the blood of his son and 3 daughters, who also devoured the slain Canaanites. And # ўbіena bhst the earth and 4x blood2, and 3 њ desecration 1sz in 8 deeds and 4x, and 3 complied with 8 their undertakings. And# anger with anger at your people, and3 filth2 worthy. And # betrayed 4x into 8 hands of enemies, and 3 Bladasha and 4 haters and 4x. And# cold and4m attacked2 and4x, and3 humbled1shasz under8 hands and4x. A lot of and3zbavi and4x. they also angered5 their own advice, and3 humbled their own lawlessness. And # you see where there is always sorrow and 4m, always prayer is heard and 4x. And # remembered the holy covenant, and 3 told about the multitude of his mercy. And# dadE | you are generous before all those who captivate |. Save2 us here and ours, and3 gather2 us2 t kzhk, and3confess and4your name with™0mu. praise1tisz in your praise. Blessed be the city of Israel, t~ century and 3 to 0 century. and3 all people say, it will be, it will be. glory, and3 nhne. Glliliyiz, g•. Gdi have mercy, G. glory, and3 nhne.
