Encountering the Divine Liturgy Part 8: The First Antiphon

 

Biblical Origin 

In the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the First Antiphon typically draws from Psalm 102 (LXX), which corresponds to Psalm 103 in the Masoretic Text. This psalm begins with the exhortation: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name” (Psalm 102:1, LXX). The verses selected for the First Antiphon are chosen for their themes of divine mercy, compassion, and the majesty of God's creation. These themes set a tone of reverent praise and thanksgiving as the faithful commence the liturgical celebration.​

The use of Psalm 102 at the beginning of the Liturgy underscores the continuity between the worship of ancient Israel and the Christian Church. By invoking this psalm, the Church aligns itself with the tradition of praising God for His benevolence and steadfast love, themes that are central to both Jewish and Christian understandings of God's relationship with humanity.​

Theological Significance

Theologically, Psalm 102 emphasizes God's mercy and compassion: “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and abundant in mercy” (Psalm 102:8, LXX). By beginning the Liturgy with this psalm, the Church invites the faithful to reflect on God's graciousness and to approach the divine mysteries with humility and gratitude. This opening sets a spiritual tone that encourages introspection and a recognition of God's enduring love and forgiveness.​

Moreover, the psalm speaks to the transient nature of human life contrasted with the eternal nature of God: “As for man, his days are like grass... but the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 102:15, 17, LXX). This juxtaposition reminds the faithful of their dependence on God's mercy and the hope of eternal life offered through Christ.​

Patristic Commentary

The early Church Fathers recognized the profound spiritual depth of the psalms and their integral role in Christian worship. While specific commentaries on the First Antiphon by Eastern Fathers are limited, their general reflections on the psalms provide insight into the significance of incorporating Psalm 102 into the Liturgy.​

St. Basil the Great emphasized the psalms' ability to elevate the soul and instill divine virtues:​

“A psalm is the calm of souls, the arbiter of peace; it calms the tumult of thoughts and moderates the unruliness of anger.”​

This perspective highlights the psalms' role in preparing the faithful's hearts and minds for the sacred mysteries of the Liturgy.​

St. John Chrysostom also spoke of the transformative power of the psalms in worship:​

“The psalms are the voice of the Church; they are the spiritual food of the soul and a source of divine grace.”​

By integrating Psalm 102 into the Liturgy, the Church draws upon this rich tradition, using the psalms as a means to cultivate a spirit of devotion and to facilitate a deeper communion with God.​

Liturgical Placement

The placement of the First Antiphon at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy serves several purposes. Firstly, it acts as a call to worship, inviting the congregation to unite their voices in praise of God's mercy and greatness. Secondly, it transitions the faithful from the secular concerns of daily life into the sacred space of the Liturgy, fostering a collective sense of reverence and focus. Lastly, by commencing with a psalm that emphasizes God's enduring love and compassion, the Church sets a theological foundation for the subsequent parts of the Liturgy, which culminate in the Eucharistic celebration of Christ's sacrificial love.​

In summary, the First Antiphon, through the verses of Psalm 102, encapsulates key themes of divine mercy, human humility, and the eternal nature of God's love. Its strategic placement at the onset of the Divine Liturgy serves to orient the faithful's hearts and minds toward a worshipful state, in harmony with the teachings and practices upheld by the early Church Fathers.​