A Spiritual Psalter, or Reflections on God
Overview
Ephraim the Syrian was one of the early church’s greatest hymnists, and a tremendously influential Church Father. In A Spiritual Psalter, or Reflections on God, the grace and passion that resided in his heart overflow into praises that move the heart in the manner of David’s Psalms. Filled with instruction and inspiration, these reflections present Ephraim the Syrian’s beautiful prayers and moral teachings that have been popular since the fourth century. This volume contains 150 works divided into 20 sections, with prayers, explanations on dogma, and a concluding “life lesson” or moral teaching.
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Key Features
- Select celebrated prayers of Ephraim the Syrian
- Accompanying explanations of dogma and moral teaching
- Insights into fourth-century spiritual writings
Top Highlights
“Therefore do I pray Thee that Thy right hand which pulled Simon out of the sea might also pull me out of the waves and the tumult of this world that rise up against me. I have become mired in filth; the waters of the world are drowning me, they do not let me break loose to catch my breath.” (Page 129)
“Accept our prayer, O our Lord, and grant us Thyself. May we live in Thee, may we possess Thee instead of all else, for then all is ours.” (Page 18)
“We must seek Thee above all else, and not seek anything else but Thee, for he who seeks Thee finds all in Thee.” (Page 18)
“The world is much stormier than the surging waves, and sin agitates it more than wind does the sea. There are times when the waters of the sea are calm, when the winds are concealed in their hiding places; but in the world waves of desire are ceaselessly whipped up, and the wind of deceit blows against the doors of the world’s vessels.” (Pages 130–131)
“I confess One and the Same as both perfect God and perfect Man, in two natures, united in one hypostasis or person, recognized as indivisibly, unconfused and unchangeably God Who was clothed in flesh, animated by an intelligent and rational soul, and came to resemble us in every way except sin.” (Page 57)
Product Details
- Title: A Spiritual Psalter, or Reflections on God
- Author: Ephraim the Syrian
- Editor: Bishop Theophan the Recluse
- Publisher: Saint John of Kronstadt Press
- Publication Date: 1997
- Pages: 257
Ephraim the Syrian (c. AD 306–373) was a fourth-century theologian and hymnographer, and is a doctor in the Catholic Church. Born in Nisibis, near Edessa, he was converted to Christianity by Bishop Jacob of Nisibis and appointed a teacher. He lived in Nisibis until AD 363, and then went to Edessa for eight years to teach at the School of Edessa. Over 400 hymns composed by Ephraim still exist, hymns which he used to teach doctrine and to warn of heresy. His poetry garnered him the titles of “Lyre of the Holy Ghost” and “Prophet of the Syrians.” Ephraim also wrote homilies and prose, of which far fewer manuscripts have survived.
