Saturday, June 15, 2013

St. Ambrose says: Pray the Psalms!

In the book of psalms there is profit for all, with healing power for our salvation. There is instruction from history, teaching from the law, prediction from prophecy, chastisement from denunciation, persuasion from oral preaching. All who read it may find the cure for their own individual failings.  All with eyes to see can discover in it a complete gymnasium for the soul, a stadium for all the virtues, equipped for every kind of exercise; it is for each to choose the kind he judges best to help him gain the prize...

A psalm is a blessing on the lips of the people a hymn in praise of God...It is a source of security at night, a lesson in wisdom by day. It is a shield wen we are afraid, a celebration o holiness, a vision of serenity, a promise of peace and harmony. a confession of faith in song. It soothes the temper, distracts from care, lightens the burden of sorrow. 

In a psalm instruction vies with beauty...what experience is not covered by a reading of the psalms? 
-from St. Ambrose's Explanation of the Psalms,
Office of Readings, Friday and Saturday of 10th week in ordinary time