Journey to Pascha Series - Lesson #14:The Recitation of the Psalter During Lent

For catechumens and all Orthodox Christians, the Psalter holds a central place in the spiritual life, especially during Great Lent, a season of repentance, prayer, and renewal. The Psalms are the heart of Orthodox worship, permeating every service from Vespers to Matins and the Divine Liturgy. They express the full range of human emotions—repentance, lament, hope, and praise—making them particularly fitting for the Lenten journey. As St. Athanasius explains in his Letter to Marcellinus, the Psalms serve as a mirror of the soul, allowing each believer to recognize their spiritual state and be guided toward transformation. Through their poetic beauty and divine inspiration, the Psalms not only teach doctrine but also form the heart of those who pray them, leading them to deeper communion with God. Therefore, reading and meditating on the Psalter during Lent is not just a pious tradition but a necessary exercise in spiritual purification, preparing the faithful for the joy of Pascha.

In addition to the Psalter itself, St. Athanasius’ Letter to Marcellinus provides an essential guide for understanding the Psalms in their fullest spiritual depth. He explains how each Psalm can be applied to specific moments in life, offering words for every situation—whether in suffering, thanksgiving, or supplication. His letter reveals how the Psalms prophesy Christ, combat the passions, and shape the soul into the likeness of God. For catechumens, who are preparing to enter the Church through Holy Baptism, and for all Orthodox Christians seeking spiritual renewal, this letter serves as a roadmap for using the Psalms as a tool for repentance and growth. During Great Lent, when the Church intensifies its focus on prayer and ascetic struggle, the combination of reading the Psalter and St. Athanasius’ reflections provides an unparalleled spiritual discipline, leading the faithful toward true repentance and the radiant joy of the Resurrection.

Below is a detailed summary of The Letter of St. Athanasius to Marcellinus on the Psalms, highlighting its key themes, theological insights, and practical applications.

Summary of St. Athanasius’ Letter to Marcellinus on the Psalms

Introduction: The Psalms as a Unique Treasure

St. Athanasius begins his letter by praising Marcellinus for his dedication to studying the Psalms, emphasizing that among all the books of Scripture, the Psalter holds a special place. While the Old and New Testament books have distinct messages—Genesis narrates creation, Exodus recounts Israel’s journey, the Prophets foretell the Messiah, etc.—the Psalter is unique in that it contains elements of history, prophecy, law, prayer, repentance, praise, and personal reflection all in one book.

Athanasius describes the Psalter as a spiritual garden where all the themes of Scripture grow together, providing nourishment for the soul.

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I. The Psalms as a Reflection of the Whole Bible

Athanasius states that every major biblical theme is reflected in the Psalms:

• Creation (Psalm 18, 23)

• The Exodus from Egypt (Psalms 77, 105, 113)

• The Tabernacle and the Priesthood (Psalm 28)

• The Conquests of Joshua and the Judges (Psalm 104)

• The Kingship of David (Psalm 19)

• The Return from Babylonian Exile (Psalm 125, 121)

• Prophecies of the Messiah (Psalms 49, 117, 106, 44, 109)

• Christ’s Passion and Resurrection (Psalms 2, 21, 87, 68, 15, 23)

• The Final Judgment (Psalms 9, 49, 71, 82)

• The Calling of the Gentiles (Psalms 46, 71)

Because the Psalter encompasses all these themes, Athanasius calls it "a Bible within the Bible."

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II. The Psalms as a Mirror of the Soul

Unlike the rest of Scripture, which speaks primarily about God, history, and doctrine, the Psalms express the full range of human emotions and provide words for every spiritual condition.

Athanasius explains that the Psalms serve as a mirror, revealing the state of the soul. Whether someone is joyful, sorrowful, thankful, fearful, or repentant, they will find their own emotions expressed in the Psalms.

Themes Found in the Psalms

• Repentance and Confession (Psalm 50)

• Trust in God in Times of Trouble (Psalm 3, 10, 37, 91)

• Thanksgiving and Praise (Psalm 145-150)

• Crying Out to God in Persecution (Psalms 16, 85, 87, 139)

• Longing for God (Psalm 41, 42)

• Victory Over Enemies (Psalm 9, 24, 63)

• Seeking Divine Wisdom (Psalm 18, 118)

• Meditating on God's Law (Psalm 1, 118)

For Athanasius, praying the Psalms allows the believer to internalize God’s Word, making it a personal and transformative experience.

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III. The Psalms as a Guide to the Christian Life

Athanasius teaches that the Psalms do not just describe emotions but also provide a remedy for spiritual struggles. When one reads them, they not only hear God's commands but learn how to obey them:

• When feeling sorrowful → The Psalms teach us to repent. (Psalm 50)

• When facing temptation → The Psalms instruct us to trust God. (Psalm 3, 37)

• When persecuted → The Psalms strengthen our faith. (Psalm 26, 42)

• When in distress → The Psalms offer comfort. (Psalm 23)

• When joyful → The Psalms provide words of praise. (Psalm 145-150)

Athanasius emphasizes that simply reading Scripture is not enough—one must pray the Psalms and live by them.

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IV. The Psalms as Christological Prophecy

Athanasius strongly emphasizes that the Psalms are filled with prophecies about Christ. They foretell:

• The Incarnation (Psalms 44, 109, 86)

• The Passion and Crucifixion (Psalms 2, 21, 68)

• The Resurrection (Psalm 15)

• The Ascension (Psalms 23, 46)

• The Second Coming (Psalms 20, 49, 71)

• The Reign of Christ as King and Judge (Psalms 72, 82)

By praying the Psalms, Athanasius says, Christians enter into the mystery of Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

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V. The Psalms and Spiritual Warfare

Athanasius states that praying the Psalms has great spiritual power. He shares the tradition that demons fear the words of the Psalms because Christ Himself speaks through them.

He warns against altering or embellishing the Psalms to make them more "pleasing" to the ears. Instead, they should be sung with understanding and sincerity.

Athanasius also recounts that in ancient Israel, Scripture alone was enough to drive away demons. He criticizes those who use external rituals or non-biblical prayers in exorcisms, saying that the Psalms contain all the spiritual power needed to combat evil.

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VI. The Psalms and Church Worship

Athanasius highlights that the Psalms are central to Christian worship:

• The early Church sang Psalms daily.

• They were used in public worship and private prayer.

• The Psalms teach us how to praise God properly.

He also links specific Psalms to different days of the week and liturgical seasons, showing how the Psalter was deeply integrated into early Christian liturgical life.

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VII. Singing the Psalms: A Path to Inner Harmony

Athanasius concludes by explaining why the Psalms should be sung and not merely recited:

1. Singing unites the body and soul in worship.

2. Melody smooths the roughness of speech, just as grace softens the roughness of sin.

3. The Psalms bring peace and harmony to the heart, aligning it with God’s will.

He reminds Marcellinus that singing the Psalms with sincerity will drive away fear, sorrow, and sin, and bring one closer to God.

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Conclusion: The Psalms as a Spiritual Weapon

Athanasius closes by affirming that the Psalms are a divine gift, capable of transforming the soul, strengthening faith, and leading one to salvation. He urges Marcellinus to pray them daily, with sincerity and understanding, trusting that God hears those who call upon Him with the words of Scripture.

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Final Thoughts

Athanasius' letter is a profound spiritual guide on the role of the Psalms in personal devotion, liturgical worship, and Christian life. It emphasizes:

1. The Psalms as a summary of all Scripture.

2. The Psalms as a mirror of the soul.

3. The Psalms as a prophecy of Christ.

4. The Psalms as a defense against evil.

5. The Psalms as the Church’s song of praise.

For St. Athanasius, the Psalter is the heart of Christian prayer—a book that teaches the faithful not only how to speak to God but also how to live in His presence.

St. Athanasius’ Letter to Marcellinus on the Psalms offers a profound and timeless reflection on the significance of the Psalter in the life of the Church and the individual Christian. His insights reveal that the Psalms are more than mere poetry or liturgical hymns; they are a comprehensive spiritual guide, encapsulating the entirety of divine revelation. By describing the Psalter as a "Bible within the Bible," Athanasius underscores its unique ability to weave together history, prophecy, moral instruction, personal prayer, and praise into a single, divinely inspired work. Through the Psalms, believers not only learn about God but also find the perfect expressions for their own struggles, joys, repentance, and worship. Unlike other books of Scripture, which primarily teach or narrate, the Psalms actively engage the reader, allowing each person to make their words their own. In this way, the Psalter is both a mirror of the soul and a remedy for the soul, shaping the believer’s spiritual life and drawing them ever closer to God.

Moreover, Athanasius’ letter reminds us that praying the Psalms is a powerful and transformative act. He emphasizes their role in personal devotion, liturgical worship, and even spiritual warfare, asserting that demons flee at the words of the Psalter because they contain the very voice of Christ. This deep Christological understanding highlights how the Psalms prefigure the life, death, resurrection, and reign of Christ, making them an essential part of Christian prayer. Additionally, his reflections on the importance of singing the Psalms reinforce the idea that sacred music is not mere ornamentation but an integral part of spiritual formation, aligning the heart and soul with God’s will. Ultimately, Athanasius’ letter serves as a timeless encouragement for all Christians to immerse themselves in the Psalter, not merely as an intellectual exercise but as a way to pray, repent, praise, and grow in divine grace. By doing so, the faithful will find strength in trials, comfort in sorrow, and a deeper communion with God, who hears and responds to the words of His people.