St. Athanasius on the Psalms

St. Athanasius on the Psalms:

So then, my son, let whoever reads this Book of Psalms take the things in it quite simply as God-inspired; and let each select from it, as from the fruits of a garden, those things of which he sees himself in need. For I think that in the words of this book all human life is covered, with all its states and thoughts, and that nothing further can be found in man. For no matter what you seek, whether it be repentance and confession, or help in trouble and temptation or under persecution, whether you have been set free from plots and snares or, on the contrary, are sad for any reason, or whether, seeing yourself progressing and your enemy cast down, you want to praise and thank and bless the Lord, each of these things the Divine Psalms show you how to do, and in every case the words you want are written down for you, and you can say them as your own.

-Athanasius, On the Incarnation, Appendix P. 116.

{Thanks to Toby Sumpter}

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4 Replies to “St. Athanasius on the Psalms”

  1. Love this quote! I have found the Psalms to be a place of great solace…every human emotion expressed…but ultimately the knee bowed to Jehovah…where else is one to go?!

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