Sunday

A Psalm (3) of David when he fled from Absalom his son. Douay Rheims Translation

Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me.

3 Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.

4 But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

5 I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.

6 I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.

7 I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.

8 For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.

9 Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.

Prayer:  This is the day which the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad therein.

Monday
Ancient Christian Comm Summary of Psalm 3

The third psalm makes reference to David, but it may be best to see it as having
multiple references (JEROME), with some of the language especially suited to the Lord’s passion
and resurrection (AUGUSTINE). David’s example shows that domestic trouble is a result of sin
(ASTERIUS THE HOMILIST). However, the one who lives for Christ often has enemies without cause
(DIDYMUS). Opposition to Christ, both past and present, sometimes takes the form of teachings
that are opposed to his (ORIGEN). This is the first psalm in which we encounter the word Selah.
Selah means either a change of thought (GREOGORY OF NYSSA) or a change in rhythm and style
(DIODORE)…The Lord is the glory of the saints (ORIGEN), who trust in God alone (THEODORET). He is our
“head” who is lifted up (DIDYMUS). We have strength from our hope in him (THEODORE OF
MOPSUESTIA). Recalling the second psalm, the Lord hears from his holy mountain (EUSEBIUS) as
faith turns to God without any delay (THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA). The psalm goes on to speak of
the resurrection of Christ (AUGUSTINE) and our resurrection with him (EUSEBIUS). The Father is
the agent of resurrection, but Christ’s own will is not excluded (AUGUSTINE).
An experienced faith does not despair of God’s help (THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA). Faith casts
out fear (ORIGEN), as the Lord exemplifies, foreknowing the cross and the resurrection
(CASSIODORUS), confident there would be no hindrance of the victory (EUSEBIUS). By use of a
metaphor (CASSIODORUS), the psalmist calls on God to arise.
Prayer:  Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
*Agnus Dei

 

Tuesday
Psalm 4

Unto the end, in verses. A psalm for David.

2 When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.

3 O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?

4 Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.

5 Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.

6 Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things?

7 The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.

8 By the fruit of their corn, their wine and oil, they are multiplied.

9 In peace in the selfsame I will sleep, and I will rest:

10 For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.

Prayer:  O Gentle Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be hymned with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver of life. Wherefore, the world doth glorify Thee.
*Eastern Vesper Hymn

 

Wednesday
AC Commentary summary Psalm 4 Pt 1

We need to give attention to how we pray (CHRYSOSTOM), noting that prayer is a matter of
faith (ORIGEN) and that the righteous, that is, those who are partakers of Christ (ORIGEN), never
have enough of prayer (THEODORET). David found relief through prayer and experienced a
double grace: he was heard and was heard quickly (ASTERIUS THE HOMILIST). The resourcefulness
of God met his need (CHRYSOSTOM) with a more generous providence (DIODORE). While the
difficulty may remain, God sometimes grants the courage needed to face it (DIDYMUS),
increased understanding of the situation (EVAGRIUS), an enlarged heart (AUGUSTINE), filled with
joy by the presence of his Word (ORIGEN). Such mercies are granted by God’s kindness, not on
the basis of our merit (THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA).
Many, however, are prone to deceitful thoughts about divine providence (DIODORE),
focusing on nonrealities (CHRYSOSTOM) and seeking happiness in lies (AUGUSTINE). Lying is
unbecoming to Christians (ASTERIUS THE HOMILIST). True blessing can only be found in truth
(AUGUSTINE). And so, the only way to be truly happy in times of distress is to turn to the Lord
(EUSEBIUS), identify with Christ in his death and rise in the blessedness of his life (AUGUSTINE).
Not only will we be victorious in Christ, but distinguished in victory (THEODORET).

Prayer:  O my God I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. (Act of Charity)

 

Thursday
AC Commentary summary Psalm 4 Pt 2

The voice God hears comes from the inner heart and seeks the things of God (ORIGEN). God
hears such prayer as often as we pray (THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA). God does not hear
inappropriate requests, for which we should be glad, and we should never be discouraged by
what seems to be a delay (CHRYSOSTOM). It should be a rule for us to always repent of sin and
seek God in prayer (ASTERIUS THE HOMILIST).
We should examine ourselves regarding anger (THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA), recognizing that
the providence of God is often beyond our understanding (DIODORE) and even when anger
seems justified, moderation is just and beneficial for human society (LACTANTIUS).
The practice of nightly prayer is particularly helpful for avoiding future sins (BASIL). The bed
becomes a bed of council (JOHN CASSIAN) where one examines the reason for one’s actions
(ORIGEN). The best gift we offer to God is a disposition of righteousness and the confidence of
hope (CHRYSOSTOM). The hope is the hope of our inheritance (ORIGEN), and the sacrifice we offer
is the imitation of Christ (CASSIODORUS).
Many blindly question whether there is any good in daily life (AUGUSTINE). But they are blind
to the midday sun of God’s providence (CHRYSOSTOM). There is a certain One who shows us
God’s goodness (DIDYMUS), who restores to us the radiance of God’s image (BEDE) and illumines
our understanding as we participate in the Light (ORIGEN). It fills our hearts with joy (ORIGEN).
We rejoice in the blessings of his daily providence (DIODORE),

Prayer:    Christ is in our midst – He is and always shall be.

Friday
Psalm 5 Pt 1

Unto the end, for her that obtaineth the inheritance. A psalm of David.

2 Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry.

3 Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God.

4 For to thee will I pray: O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice.

5 In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.

6 Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.

7 Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.

Prayer:  Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning it is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

 

Saturday
AC Commentary Pt 1

The titles of Psalms are not superfluous (JEROME) but are divinely inspired. In the case
of this psalm, the church is in view as she is the one who will obtain the inheritance in the end
(JEROME). That inheritance is to possess God (AUGUSTINE), a blessing granted to the individual
believer and to the church as a whole by grace (DIDYMUS).
God weighs our words, and so should we (ASTERIUS THE HOMILIST). Let us make sure we speak
in a Christian manner, not like the devil (CHRYSOSTOM), invoking God’s help to live a devout life
(THEODORET). God recognizes the cry of his children, even in the midst of many voices (ASTERIUS
THE HOMILIST). They address him in truth as one God, in the singular, even while distinguishing
the persons of the Trinity (AUGUSTINE).
Our prayer begins with gratitude for the light that has dawned in our soul (DIDYMUS), the
morning that brings forth from us a voice that God hears (JEROME), even though the world
remains in darkness, awaiting the dawning of the world to come (AUGUSTINE, BEDE). We offer
our prayers and deeds to God as the first fruits of each solar day (EUSEBIUS), washing our soul to
enter his presence (CHRYSOSTOM).  Evil does not come from God (DIDYMUS).

Prayer:   We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee for by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.