Praying with the Psalms

[MH84]

I was wondering does anyone pray the Psalms. I am not talking about the Liturgy of the Hours. More like opening the Bible and praying randomly a Psalm, or even praying Psalms familiar to you. I pray like this with the Psalms on occasions, but sometimes I feel like I am not really praying, rather I am only reading them? Am I praying just by focusing on the text?

Does anyone feel like this sometimes? Or is there anyone who prays with the Psalms regularly or even occasionly that can give me advice?

God Bless

 

[puzzleannie]

well I know the psalms from praying the LOTH so I frequently turn to one that is appropriate in other times, for instance when I want a quote for a letter of sympathy or something similar, or for a prayer service etc, or for my personal comfort or exhortation. But I don’t know if I would know them or know which one to turn to without regularly praying all of them through the psalter cycle.

 

[Steadfast_love]

I read the Psalms each month using this schedule. I like it because it’s designed to make each days reading about the same length so you can plan your day around it.

I memorized Psalm 51 and I realy like being able to pray it from memory. You might try memorizing a Psalm and seeing if it makes a difference for you? I personaly feel that having it on the tip of my tongue realy helps.

Also B16 has something to say on the matter:Indeed, it is the Word of God, through the Holy Spirit, which always guides us to the whole truth (cf. Jn 16: 13).

In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime.

I haven’t tried Lectio divina yet, but my wife and I would like to make it a family tradition. (There’s a version for groups as well as individuals.)

God bless!

 

[jmm08]

Years before I began RCIA, I went to a one-day retreat at a Benedictine Monastery. And I found out that the sisters regularly prayed the Psalms. And that when they prayed the Psalms, they were praying the Psalms with Jesus.

I think a brief description is this. That Jesus learned the Psalms (as all good Jewish people did). He had them memorized. And Jesus prayed the Psalms as all good Jewish people did back then. So when we pray the Psalms, we can join our prays with Jesus because He prayed the Psalms as well. If I am incorrect in any way, I hope a Benedictine will reply and correct me.

I was a non-Catholic at the time and I had been exposed to a bit of anti-Catholic literature. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that these Benedictine Sisters were definitely Jesus-loving Christians. And the seminar provided me with hope and encouragement that I really needed at that troubled time in my life.

MH84, if you want the best answer to your question I suggest that you contact a Benedictine. They also have a 3rd order (lay people) and related meetings.

jmm08

 

[MH84]

I read the Psalms each month using this schedule. I like it because it’s designed to make each days reading about the same length so you can plan your day around it.

I memorized Psalm 51 and I realy like being able to pray it from memory. You might try memorizing a Psalm and seeing if it makes a difference for you? I personaly feel that having it on the tip of my tongue realy helps.

Also B16 has something to say on the matter:Indeed, it is the Word of God, through the Holy Spirit, which always guides us to the whole truth (cf. Jn 16: 13).

In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime.

I haven’t tried Lectio divina yet, but my wife and I would like to make it a family tradition. (There’s a version for groups as well as individuals.)

God bless!

Thank you to all the posters who have replied and left suggestions. I have further questions :

jmm08: What exactly did you mean by “And that when they prayed the Psalms, they were praying the Psalms with Jesus.”? I can see what you mean, but do you think we should be aiming to pray to God and not **with **God?

Thanks for the link. Does you or anyone else know if iot is okay for Catholics to follow the suggestions of the link?

 

[chevalier]

Yes, Psalms, sometimes random, sometimes looked up for a specific purpose or state of spirit. No keys based on dates or sequence. I know a priest who gives them as penance too.

 

[puzzleannie]

Thank you to all the posters who have replied and left suggestions. I have further questions :

jmm08: What exactly did you mean by “And that when they prayed the Psalms, they were praying the Psalms with Jesus.”? I can see what you mean, but do you think we should be aiming to pray to God and not **with **God?

Thanks for the link. Does you or anyone else know if iot is okay for Catholics to follow the suggestions of the link?

well the apostles prayed with Jesus and the psalms especially invite us to pray with Jesus because they are so intimately linked with him and his mission and passion. There are many threads in the spirituality forum on both LOTH and lectio divina, do a search and you will find ample links and guidance.

if these were nuns or monks who prayed the psalms in the monastery they did it in the format of the Liturgy of the Hours, the public prayer of the Church.

 

[hermitcrab]

Praying the sevenfold office for many years has left many of the psalms in my mind and heart; verses come now at need. Odd too how the psalms appointed - and this is the old office that prays them all in one week - colour the day.
Monday’s Matins, Lauds an Prime are wondrously comforting, and Sunday Compline.
Yet I always omit the violent and vengeful verses; we are new covenant not old.

 

[jmm08]

if these were nuns or monks who prayed the psalms in the monastery they did it in the format of the Liturgy of the Hours, the public prayer of the Church.

Actually in this case I think the Bendictine nuns were following a rule. Rule of St. Benedict

One of the older ones mentioned to me that they used to read the book of the Psalms through once a week (with some specific psalms more often). And now it was once a month.

 

[asquared]

Actually in this case I think the Bendictine nuns were following a rule. Rule of St. Benedict

One of the older ones mentioned to me that they used to read the book of the Psalms through once a week (with some specific psalms more often). And now it was once a month.

the rule of St. Benedict states, among other guidelines for the monastic life, how and when to pray LOTH, which is essentially praying all the psalms in a 4 week cycle (yes, the discipline did vary throughout time, from all the psalms every day, to all the psalms every week, to the current form). But the format of the prayer is the Liturgy of the Hours, or as Benedict referred to it, the Work of God.

In answer to question in OP, certainly an individual can pray any psalm you like at any time you want. The practice of just opening the bible and stabbing your finger at a verse blindly is not really a Catholic practice.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

By *reading *the Psalms you have gotten off to a good start, but there is so much more richness to be had when you actually *pray *them. You may want to try the following. It’s a simple description of lectio divina, Latin for “divine reading.” (Just because it has a Latin name doesn’t mean it has to be complicated!)

Prayer is a two-way conversation: God speaks to us, and we respond to Him. God speaks to us through Scripture — like letters from the Holy Spirit! *Lectio divina *is a simple way to pray with Scripture. Saint Benedict taught his monks to pray in this way 1500 years ago, and it is still a wonderful way to pray today.

Getting ready: Set aside a few minutes, find a quiet, comfortable place, choose a short Scripture passage (it can be a Psalm or a section of a longer Psalm, not too long), and ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

There are four stages to lectio divina:

1. 
   *]“Lectio” — reading. Read the passage. Re-read it slowly, pausing from time to time. Notice any phrases that appeal to you or attract your attention.
   
   *]“Meditatio” — meditation. Mull over the passage. The words that caught your attention may contain God’s special message for you. Spend extra time thinking about their meaning. What is God saying to your heart?
   
   *]“Oratio” — prayer. Respond to God’s word in silent prayer. What do you want to say back to God? The passage you just read may inspire you to thank Him, praise Him, tell Him you are sorry, ask Him for something you need, make a resolution …
   
   *]“Contemplatio” — contemplation. Just rest in the presence of God for a few minutes. No words are needed. Just love Him, and let Him love you!
   
   When you have been doing this for a while, the four stages may become a little less distinct from each other (kind of overlapping or blending together). You may also find yourself going back to the passage to meditate on another word or phrase. It’s all very personal; there’s no right or wrong way; if it brings you closer to God you’re doing just fine.
   
   Even though the Psalms were written thousands of years ago, God had you in mind when He inspired the Psalmist to write them. Some are penitential, and make me sorry for my own sins; some are joyful, and make me grateful for God’s gifts to me; some are cries for help, to which I add my own needs and troubles; and some speak of God’s power and majesty, and make me want to worship Him. I hope they will do the same for you.

 

[jmm08]

PhilotheaZ – great answer.

And worded so clearly, I think you should consider the vocation of becoming a writer (in addition to your current vocation).

At the least, please come back and post more. I hope to read more of what you have to say.

 

[OraLabora]

the rule of St. Benedict states, among other guidelines for the monastic life, how and when to pray LOTH, which is essentially praying all the psalms in a 4 week cycle (yes, the discipline did vary throughout time, from all the psalms every day, to all the psalms every week, to the current form). But the format of the prayer is the Liturgy of the Hours, or as Benedict referred to it, the Work of God.

In answer to question in OP, certainly an individual can pray any psalm you like at any time you want. The practice of just opening the bible and stabbing your finger at a verse blindly is not really a Catholic practice.

I’m going to revive this thread since it was quoted on another thread. I just want to make a correction here. The Benedictines do pray the LOTH, but most monasteries do not use the 4-week LOTH. Many still pray the traditional Benedictine office of 255 psalms per week (obviously the whole psalter, plus repetitions). Plus there are 3 other allowed schemas, the first one of which (Schema B, the traditional office being Schema A), is also on a 1-week cycle. The others are 2-week cycles.

Some abbeys with an external apostolate will use the 4-week psalter, but in our congregation (Solesmes), either schema A or B are used with a 1-week cycle.

They do this because the Rule of St. Benedict does specify the entire psalter in a week. The rest of the LOTH is the same though (the collects, the intercessions, the readings). Also the Benedictines use their own calendar.

From the General Instructions for the Liturgy of the Hours

1. Communities of canons, monks, nuns, and other religious who celebrate the liturgy of the hours by rule or according to their constitutions, whether with the general rite or a particular rite, in whole or in part, represent in a special way the Church at prayer. They are a fuller sign of the Church as it continuously praises God with one voice and they fulfill the duty of “working,” above all by prayer, “to build up and increase the whole Mystical Body of Christ, and for the good of the local Churches.” [101] This is especially true of those living the contemplative life.

b. Religious communities bound to the recitation of the liturgy of the hours and their individual members should celebrate the hours in keeping with their own particular law; but the prescription of no. 29 in regard to those in holy orders is to be respected.

Communities bound to choir should celebrate the whole sequence of the hours daily in choir; [118] when absent from choir their members should recite the hours in keeping with their own particular law; but the prescriptions in no. 29 are always to be respected.