Ancient hymns of praise: the provoking, hypnotic and fantastical world of the Psalms

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. (Psalm 115)

Each day, I recite the offices of Lauds, Vespers, and Compline. When I took my solemn vows as a Knight of Malta, I committed myself to these offices and, consequently, to reading long extracts from the Psalms. Like many things connected with religious vocations, I found something in the Psalms that provokes contemplation but can also be profoundly comforting. These ancient hymns of praise have many facets.

The Psalms are crammed with provoking imagery, fantastical place names and antique genealogies which add to their sense of antiquity and otherworldly fantasy. “The idols of the heathen” conjure up images of golden Inca face masks, or marble Roman goddesses. And while everyone can point to Jerusalem on a map, where is “the land of Cedar”? Is Edom nearby? Who were Sehon, king of the Amorrihites and Og, king of Basan? Whoever they were, they come to a bad end in the narrative – two of the numerous victims of God’s smiting.

In my student days – a world that now seems as far off as ancient Babylonia – I would go to Choral Evensong at St John’s College, Cambridge. This was Christian worship full of academic gowns, highly starched linen and received pronunciation. Here, I first met the Psalms in musical form in the anthems of Purcell, Byrd, Howells, and countless other composers.

This music would encourage us to “sing unto the Lord”, be glad when “they said unto me”, and wonder “why do the heathen so  furiously rage together”. Since I became a Catholic, however, the centre of my spiritual life has been the Mass. Nevertheless, the Psalms continue to underpin my daily prayer routine. Each morning, afternoon and evening, they promise the great comfort that the love of God can bring to us all.

He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: he hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: he will shew forth to his people the power of his works. That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment. (Psalm 111)

The Psalms teach of redemption and the forgiveness of God to those that believe. Indeed, it would appear from the texts that God was kept terribly busy forgiving the Israelites, who were forever ignoring him or worshipping false gods. As we well know, our daily life is still full of these distractions from God. They are all about us every day: the latest iPhone, the newest electric car, the most exclusive facial lotion. The idols are always with us – they ensnare, divert and entice but they can never provide comfort and the Truth.

Without doubt, my favourite parts of the Psalms is the symmetry that appears – repeated phrases in a similar style that re-enforce each other. There is a hypnotic poetry in these sentences that balances and refreshes. They can be overtly joyous and bring a warm feeling of happiness to the daily offices of prayer. As you read the verses, they call into your imagination serried ranks of angels and of the faithful over the centuries united in songful praise, reassuring us of holy joy.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150)

I do not know what a psaltery looks like or what noise a timbrel makes but, because of the praising repetition, I imagine the effect of this music and singing will be beautiful and happy.

I encourage you to dip into the Psalms. There you will find the familiar – “the Lord is my Shepherd” – as well as the profound – “be still, and know that I am God”. The imagery used can be picturesque – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” – and graphic – “let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee”.

For prayer, the verses offer a place to start. They have sources that cover the range of human emotions – from joyful thanksgiving (Psalm 30) to lonely despair (Psalm 13). But their ultimate message is one of redemption.

We know that our redemption is through  Jesus Christ and, most naturally, He references the psalms in his teaching: “The words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).

Fra’ Max Rumney is Grand Prior of England in the Order of Malta

This article appears in the July/August 2024 Summer Special edition of the Catholic Herald. To subscribe to our award-winning, thought-provoking magazine and have independent and high-calibre counter-cultural Catholic journalism delivered to your door anywhere in the world click HERE.

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