The Psalter is the strongest weapon of the Orthodox Christian. According to legend, demons are afraid of the Psalter, like fire. The book consists of 151 psalms. They are divided into 20 Kafism, each of which has three glories. The author of the Psalter is King David. Many argue what kind of word "psalter", more precisely, how to correctly change it in cases. We will talk about this below. Ministers of the church believe that it is not so important how a person pronounces this word, the main thing is that he understands its meaning.
What is the Psalter
The answer to this question is partially given above. As the priests say, the Psalter is scripture in abbreviation. This expression is somewhat exaggerated, the book was written on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and is used in church services.
Where did the name come from
When they read the Psalter, we will tell a little later. The book got its name from a stringed musical instrument, which was played while singing psalms.
Male or female
The name of this unique book can be written in two ways: the Psalter and the Psalter. The second is considered obsolete and is now rarely used. Some people and even reputable publications believe that the word "psalter" is feminine. They are right, but only in relation to a musical instrument. King David’s book was “appropriated” (so to speak) the masculine gender. That is how the word "psalter" is needed when it comes to a collection of psalms.
Interesting Facts
When do they read the Psalter? Be patient, we will get to this point soon. For now, let's talk about interesting points related to the Old Testament book:
- In numerous Russian monasteries, the Unbreakable Psalter is read. This means that there is no break in reading, it is around the clock. The inhabitants of the monastery have their own hours to read the Psalter. Changing each other, they read out all the psalms during the day.
- From midnight to three in the morning - a special time. Heaven is believed to be open to prayer, but unclean forces are not asleep. This watch is the most dangerous, since demons can appear firsthand. The psalm is read by schemas, monks, or zealous monks. Novices are not allowed to act in a given time period.
- The laity are not recommended to read the Psalter after midnight. To do this, take a blessing from the confessor.
Why read
Why read the Psalter when there are prayers and akathists? The fact is that they are our appeal to God, and the Psalter is His word to us. Reading this book, a person joins a body of angels praising God. He is a body on earth, a spirit in heaven, next to them. The book consists of prayers of thanks, repentance, and prayers. She is an assistant in the fight against unclean spirits. It is enough to read the Psalm daily to avoid numerous temptations.
We read at home
How to read the Psalter at home? This is absolutely uncomplicated. Detailed instructions in front of you:
- A woman covers her head with a scarf, puts on a skirt. The man remains with his head uncovered, in trousers and a shirt.
- A lamp or a candle is lit in front of the icons.
- Having crossed himself three times, the Christian begins to read the Psalter.
- After each glory, you need to cross yourself and list the names of your living relatives, the departed, as well as Orthodox friends and acquaintances.
- At the end of the reading, it is required to thank the Lord and close the book.
For whom it is impossible to read
How to read the Psalter at home about health and tranquility is described above. Note that not all relatives and friends can be mentioned. The following categories of people are excluded:
- Unbaptized and suicides.
- Psychics, magicians, esoterics.
- Frenzied.
- Militant atheists.
About health
When do ordinary people read the Psalter? It is advisable that a pious Christian read one kathisma daily. They read the first and third glories, remembering for the health of relatives, friends, acquaintances and close people. This is done like this:
- After the first glory they say three times: "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory to you, God!" After that, the names of all baptized relatives are listed.
- The same situation with the third glory. Only there is a listing of baptized friends, acquaintances, benefactors, those who once helped the reader.
About repose
The deceased really need a prayer. The living can pray for themselves, the dead are deprived of such an opportunity. They can only hope for the prayers of those who remain on the earth. When they read the Psalter for the dead:
- The first night after death.
- For 40 days, until the deceased is newly assigned.
- Daily for all deceased relatives, friends and relatives (baptized).
How to read the first night
There were times when the dead were not given to the morgue. They stayed at home. Near them they read the Psalter all night. Now times have changed, relatives are busy with funeral efforts, the dead man is in the morgue, the reading of the Psalter is forgotten.
Having given the body of a deceased relative to the morgue, an Orthodox person is required to read the Psalter on it in absentia. During the night you need to read the book in its entirety. Of course, the deceased must be a baptized person who was not carried away during his life by magic, esotericism, heretical teachings.
Kathisma №17
For 40 days after the death of a relative, Christians read 17th kathisma on it. It is very long, but it is necessary to read completely. It is not difficult, it takes 20 minutes in time. To make the reader easier to navigate, we’ll give a hint. This is psalm 118, one of the longest.
Daily commemoration
When they read the Psalter daily, the second glory is given to commemorate the departed. Relatives, friends, acquaintances, benefactors - all those who were baptized in Orthodoxy respected the teachings of the Lord and His church.
Prayers before reading
When they read the Psalter, we find out. Before proceeding with this action, it is necessary to offer prayers to God. Their texts are given below. Prayers are offered without distorting certain words, so they may seem complicated. However, this is exactly what the ministers of the church say.
Prayers before reading the Psalter
In the prayers of our holy father, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Your glory, Our God, your glory.
The King of Heaven, the Comforter, the Soul of truth, Even everywhere and all fulfilling, the Treasure of the good and the Life of the Giver, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all the filth, and save us better.
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and now both descent and forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Trinity, have mercy on us, Lord, to cleanse the sins of our Lord, forgive the forgiveness of our Lord, Holy, visit and heal the weaknesses of our Lord, in Your name.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and now both descent and forever and ever. Amen.
O our Father, even as you are in heaven! Thy name be holy, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us our daily bread today, and leave our debt to us, as well as we leave our debt; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Troparion:
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, every answer is bewildering, and let this prayer I bring unto the Lord of sin. Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Your honest prophet, Lord, triumph, the Church is shown, the angels rejoice from men, that prayers, Christ God, live in the world of rule, let us sing. Hallelujah!
And now, and now, and ever and ever. Amen.
Many of my sons, the Virgin of God, the transgression, have come to You, the Pure, the salvation of you, who have visited my weak soul, and the prayer of thy Son and God, give me more blessings.
Lord, have mercy (40 times). And bows in strength.
Prayer of the Holy Trinity
The Most Holy Trinity, God and Sodetelyu all over the world, hurry and headed for my heart, which began with the mind and will end Dela well-bogoduhnovennyya This book, which is shed Holy Spirit usty David otrygnu, ihzhe now hoschu glagolati az, profane, ignorant as their ignorance, limping, I pray Tee, and even from you help I asked: Lord, rule my mind and establish my heart, not about verbalizing the intention to study this, but about the understanding of the good-humored and have a good time to do it well. Yes, the good deeds are enlightened, in judging the gums of Thy country, a partaker with all your chosen ones. And now, Lord, bless, yes, having exhaled from the heart, and I will sing it with my tongue, with the word Sitz.
Come, worship the Kings of our God. (Bow)
Come, worship, and beside Christ, reign our God. (Bow)
Come, worship, and let us fall unto Christ Himself, the Kings and our God . (Bow)
Prayers after reading
When they read the Psalter, do not forget to thank God after that. The prayer texts look like this:
It is truly worthy to truly be blessed with Thee, the Virgin of God, the Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of God. The most honest Cherub and the most glorious without comparison, Seraphim, without the decay of the God of Word, who gave birth, who is the greatest of the Virgin Mary.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and now both descent and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
In the prayers of our holy father, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed for the blessing of Your Most Holy Mother of God, the strength of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross, and the blessed blessed and blessed blessings of God Humanist, Amen.
Can I read the Psalter while sitting
Some particularly zealous believers condemn those who read this holy book while sitting. However, there are no strict rules in this regard. The psalm is allowed to read while sitting. Any priest will tell you this. In the monasteries, being at the obedience to reading the Indestructible Psalter, the inhabitants are sitting in front of the icons. People in this position are reading this book. They pray to God and do not think that they are not reverently behaving.
To be convinced of this, it is enough to attend the service. When they read the Psalter, people sit on chairs and benches standing in the temple.
How to Read the Psalter in a Church
Are laity allowed to read the Psalter in the temple? Yes, but only with the blessing of a priest or abbot, depending on the location of the person. If a layman is in an ordinary church, then the priest can bless him, and in the monastery hegumen.
Self-reading of the Psalter in the temple is unacceptable. To do this, there are altars, novices, monks and monks.
FAQ
Becoming a member of the Church of Christ, neophytes eagerly absorb information related to it. They ask naive questions, trying to become an Orthodox Christian and gain insight into church life. In this subsection, we present the most common questions:
- Can I read the Psalter in Russian? Priest Vladimir (Shlykov) says that in the Russian translation it is read only in order to understand the meaning of what was written. You need to pray in Church Slavonic.
- What to do if you do not understand what is written? How to read the Psalter, if the desire for this disappears? Hieromonk Victorin advises reading a book with a translation into Russian. So the meaning of what is written will be clear, then it will be easier to switch to Church Slavonic. We add that older priests recommend not to quit reading the Psalter in Church Slavonic, when its meaning is not clear. If a person does not understand something, but pronounces, demons will still run away from him. They well know what is written and without translation (according to the teachings of the priests).
- Where can I buy the Psalter? In any church shop.
- Is it possible to listen to the Psalter if there is no possibility of reading? Yes, this is not prohibited in individual cases, for example, when it comes to a seriously ill, exhausted person.
Conclusion
Now we have an idea of the book that King David once wrote. The article details when reading the Psalter. We indicated who can and should not be mentioned during the reading, introduced you to how to prepare for the process. You have learned where the Psalter is read, what psalms you need to pronounce in a particular case. If you decide to purchase and study this book in order to turn to God with its help, you should understand the main thing - it is not so important when you are sitting or standing, you will read the psalms. It is much more important that you do this at the behest of your soul.