Psalm 142 interpretation. Psalter. Eternal destruction of man

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Interpretation of Psalm 142

There is a certain continuity between this psalm and the previous one (compare Ps. 142:4,7 with Ps. 142:3). Before us again is a prayer for deliverance and the guidance of the Lord. The psalmist admits that there are no truly righteous people among people. He draws hope and consolation from thoughts of the mercies of the Lord, which were repeatedly shown to the Jewish people.

Ps. 142:1-4. Describing the hopelessness of his situation (verse 3), David prays to the Lord to hear him, because He, the Lord, is faithful and righteous (it is precisely the concepts of “faithfulness” and “righteousness”, as conveyed in the English Bible, that correspond to “truth” and “truth” " in Russian text); verse 1. Probably, in the current suffering, David also saw punishment for his sins: recognizing the inferiority of human righteousness, in comparison with the righteousness of the Lord (not one living... will be justified before You), David asks not to judge him, the servant of God, too harshly (verse 2).

Ps. 142:5-6. In reflecting on the wonderful works of God that were performed for the Jews in ancient days, the psalmist draws hope and consolation. And with even greater ardor he stretches out his hands to the Lord, Whom his soul thirsts for, like the earth for rain.

Ps. 142:7-12. In the context of verses 7 and 8, the words Soon (verse 7) and early (verse 8) are synonymous. The psalmist prays to the Lord for quick help, so that he does not lose heart completely (“not to become like those who go down to the grave”).

The meaning of verse 10 is obviously a request for constant guidance by the good Spirit of God, so that the one led (David) may do the will of the Lord in everything and live worthily in the land that the Lord has set aside for His righteous. For the sake of the righteousness (truth) of God, so that he can praise His name, David asks to “lead his soul out of adversity”, to return him the strength to live (revive me); verse 11.

One of the most revered and often used in services in the modern Russian Orthodox Church is Psalm 143, which in the most beautiful poetic form describes a soul striving for the Lord. Let us further try to analyze the meaning of this text and its significance for the spiritual practice of an Orthodox Christian.

In some religious traditions, followers are not required to accurately understand the meaning of spoken words. For example, in Hinduism it is completely acceptable to read the names of the Lord, various hymns and mantras in Sanskrit, without considering the interpretation first and focusing only on the sound. At the same time, understanding the meaning is quite useful, but it is not mandatory.

We will not go into details, but, in short, in such religious traditions the concept of sacred sound, which, in fact, is inseparable from the Lord, that is, actually represents His emanation, largely prevails. Accordingly, simply speaking His name allows the believer to establish some kind of connection and relationship.

Note! St. Augustine said: “the essence of prayer is understanding.”

The words of John Chrysostom will be relevant for this topic: “This is disgrace, this is madness, people behave like small, unintelligent babies who repeat words in which they do not see any meaning and think in this way to please the Lord.”

In other religious traditions, and in Orthodoxy in particular, the believer is required to understand the meaning of prayers. Mindlessly reading texts is useless for a person.

Whether the prayer book is read in Russian or in Church Slavonic, the believer needs not only to understand the meaning of each word, but also to delve deeply into the essence of what is being said. Thus, it is necessary to include the mind while reading, which, through the available possibilities, also rushes to the Almighty.

Many saints and Orthodox devotees have repeatedly spoken about the importance of understanding the meaning of prayer. Otherwise, a believer becomes like an unreasonable child or even an animal that makes some sounds, but does not realize the meaning of what is said.

Also, ideally, it is advised to be able not only to listen, but also to read in the Slavic language. After all, this is exactly how the holy elders prayed to God for centuries; services in churches were conducted in this language for centuries. Therefore, these combinations of words are saturated with the experience of believers of many eras, thanks to which it becomes possible to grasp additional meanings and plunge into the depths of faith.

Interpretation

It is certainly useful for every Orthodox Christian to carefully read Psalm 143 in order to apply the meaning of what is written for the sake of his own faith.

In addition, if necessary, consultation with a church minister may be useful if you need to interpret a certain verse in relation to a specific situation.

So, let's begin:

1 - What matters here are the original words in Hebrew, where the Lord also has such an epithet as rock and truth. The general meaning lies in the truth of only the Lord and the significance of turning to Him, because He hears everyone, but does not listen to everyone.
2 – No one can be justified before the Almighty; a person can only humble himself and admit his guilt, trusting in the mercy of the Lord.
3.4 – These lines also have a historical context, since this psalm of David refers to the time when he was persecuted by Absalom, however, not only this persecution is spoken of in this verse, Absalom himself was driven by the devil and, in fact, “the enemy ", who pursues the soul, is none other than the devil, that is, we are talking about problems that are relevant for every Orthodox believer, therefore a Christian strives for Heaven, where Satan is denied access.
5 – Remembrance of the greatness of the Lord, which is described in the form of many miracles in the scriptures.
6,7,8 – An open soul asks to be shown the path to follow: “Tell me, Lord, I will take the wrong path.” If the soul is ascended to the Creator, and, accordingly, can have an understanding of the truth (including the true path) thanks to this.
9.10 – A request that again ends with words about the “land of truth” and the intention to be there, that is, in Heaven, where there is no lie and there is only truth.
11.12 – trust and humility before the Lord.

It would seem that before us is a simple prayer that David turned to the Lord while being persecuted by Absalom. However, this poetry has a deeper meaning that can be understood by almost every Orthodox Christian who is constantly fighting temptations, the machinations of the devil and striving for Heaven. This expresses humility and the intention to comprehend the truth through the Almighty - “tell me, Lord,” because who other than God can give the right answer and show the true path.

Function in worship

There are many situations where Psalm 143 is used in a church service.

It is read:

before the water prayer service;
during the process of unction (sacrament of anointing);
as part of the Six Psalms at Great and Little Compline.

The text is read religiously in the language of the service, and in order to understand this language it is useful to study the previously proposed version with verse-by-verse translation.

Note! Psalm 142 is especially significant for cultivating humility and striving for the Lord. Demons tempt many with vanity, which can become the beginning of spiritual decline.

Reading sacred texts has many benefits, it helps:

put your own mind in order;
acquire humility;
strengthen in faith;
ask for help;
receive the necessary instructions.

You should perceive prayer not as a set of words or a kind of auto-training formula for working with your own morality.

Interesting! What is when and how to pray correctly

Useful video

Let's sum it up

Before us is a way of direct communication with God, that is, a sincere question will always be answered. When a believer asks from the bottom of his heart, “Where will I go next?”, the answer can be direct guidance that helps him make the right decision. In personal spiritual practice, such treatment should be considered as personal communication with the Lord.

Psalm 134.

Praise the name of the Lord, praise the servants of the Lord, you who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good, sing to His name, for it is good: for the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own possession. For I have known that the Lord is Great, and our Lord is above all gods. The Lord create all that He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the abysses. Raising clouds from the last of the earth, creating lightning into rain, driving winds from Your treasures. Smite the firstborn of Egypt, from man to beast. Send signs and wonders among you, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. Smite many tongues and slay mighty kings: Zion, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdom of Canaan, and give the land their heritage, a heritage for Israel, for His people. Lord, Thy name is for ever, and Thy memorial is for all generations: for the Lord will judge His people, and He will pray for His servants. Idol the tongue, silver and gold, the works of human hands. They have lips and do not speak; they have eyes and do not see; they have ears and do not hear; for there is spirit in their mouth. Let those who create, and all who trust in her, be like them. House of Israel, bless the Lord; house of Aaron, bless the Lord; house of Levi, bless the Lord. Ye who fear the Lord, bless the Lord. Blessed be the Lord of Zion, who dwelleth in Jerusalem.

Psalm 135.

Confess to the Lord that He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Confess to the God of gods, for His mercy endures forever. Confess to the Lord of lords, for His mercy endures forever. Great to the One who performed miracles, for His mercy endures forever. To Him who created the heavens with His understanding, for His mercy endures forever. Who established the earth on the waters, for His mercy endures forever. Great is the One who created the luminaries, for His mercy endures forever. The sun is in the daylight, for His mercy endures forever. The moon and stars in the region of the night, for His mercy endures forever. He who smote Egypt with its firstborn, for His mercy endures forever, and He who brought Israel out from among them, for His mercy endures forever. With a strong hand and a high muscle, for His mercy endures forever. He divided the Red Sea into divisions, for His mercy endures forever. And He brought Israel through the midst of them, for His mercy endures forever. And he who shook Pharaoh and his strength in the Red Sea, for His mercy endures forever. He who led His people in the wilderness, for His mercy endures forever. He who smote great kings, for His mercy endures forever, and he who slew mighty kings, for His mercy endures forever: Zion king of the Amorites, for His mercy endures forever, and Og, king of Bashan, for His mercy endures forever. And to him who gave the land their inheritance, for His mercy endures forever. A treasure unto Israel His servant, for His mercy endureth forever. For in our humility we will remember the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. And He delivered us from our enemies, for His mercy endures forever. Give food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. Confess to the Heavenly God, for His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136.

On the rivers of Babylon, there weeping and lamenting, we will never remember Zion. On the willows in the middle of both of them are our organs. For there they asked us, captivating us about the words of the songs and leading us about singing: sing to us from the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the song of the Lord in foreign lands? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand will be forgotten. Cling my tongue to my throat, lest I remember you, lest I offer Jerusalem, as at the beginning of my joy. Remember, O Lord, the sons of Edom, who said on the day of Jerusalem: exhaust, exhaust it to its foundations. Accursed daughter of Babylon, blessed is she who will give you the reward that you have given to us. Blessed is he who is and will dash Your babies on the stone.

Glory:

Psalm 137.

Let me confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart, and before the Angels I will sing to You, for You have heard all the words of my mouth. I will bow to Thy holy temple and confess to Thy name about Thy mercy and Thy truth, for Thou hast magnified Thy holy name above all. Even if I call on You every day, quickly hear me: increase me in my souls by Your power. May all the kings of the earth confess to You, O Lord, that they have heard all the words of Your mouth, and may they sing in the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord, for the Lord is High, and He looks upon the humble, and high news from afar. Even if I go in the midst of sorrow, live for me; my enemy has stretched out Your hand to anger, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will reward me. Lord, Your mercy endures forever, do not despise the work of Your hand.

Psalm 138.

Lord, you have tempted me and you have known me. You have known my sitting and my rising. Thou hast understood my thoughts from afar: Thou hast explored my path and mine already, and Thou hast foreseen all my paths. For there is no flattery in my tongue: behold, O Lord, Thou hast known. All that is recent and ancient: You created me, and You laid Your hand on me. If Your mind is amazed at me, become established, I will not be able to reach it. Where shall I go from Your Spirit? And do I flee from Your face? If I go up to heaven, there you are, if I go down to hell, there you are. If I take my wings early and dwell in the last of the seas, then Thy hand will guide me and Thy right hand will hold me. And reh: food darkness will trample me, and night enlightenment in my sweetness. For darkness will not be darkened by You, and night, like day, will be enlightened; like its darkness, so is its light. For You created my womb, You took me from my mother’s womb. Let us confess to You that You were terribly surprised: Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows it well. My bone is not hidden from You, which You have created in secret, and my composition in the depths of the earth. Thy eyes have seen what I have not done, and in Thy book all things will be written, in these days they will be created and no one in them. I was greatly honored by Your friends, O God, having greatly established their dominion. I will count them, and they will multiply more than the sand; I have risen, and am still with You. If sinners beat you, O God, men of blood, turn away from me. Because you are jealous in your thoughts, your cities will be reduced to vanity. Have not those who hated Thee, O Lord, hated Thy enemies? I hated them with complete hatred, they were my enemies. Tempt me, O God, and convince my heart, try me and understand my paths, and see if the path of iniquity is in me, and guide me on the eternal path.

Psalm 139.

Deliver me, O Lord, from the wicked man, deliver me from the unrighteous man, who have thought unrighteousness in my heart, and fight with the army all day long, having sharpened my tongue like a serpent, the poison of asps under their lips. Save me, O Lord, from the hand of sinners, take me away from the unrighteous people, who thought the heels of my feet. The pride hid the net for me, and the snakes tied the net for my feet. Along the path, put temptations aside. Reh of the Lord: Thou art my God, inspire, O Lord, the voice of my prayer. Lord, Lord, the power of my salvation, you have overshadowed my head on the day of battle. Do not betray me, O Lord, from my desire as a sinner: having thought on me, do not forsake me, lest they be exalted. The head of their surroundings, the labor of their lips will cover I. Coals of fire will fall on them, cast me down in passion, and they will not stand. A pagan man will not be corrected on earth: an unrighteous and evil man will be caught into corruption. I knew that the Lord would bring judgment to the poor and vengeance to the needy. Both the righteous will confess to Your Name, and the righteous will dwell with Your face.

Glory:

Psalm 140.

Lord, I have called to You, hear me: listen to the voice of my prayer, sometimes I will cry to You. May my prayer be corrected, like incense before You, the lifting of my hand is an evening sacrifice. Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth, and a guard over my mouth. Do not turn my heart into the words of wickedness, do not bear the guilt of sins with people who practice iniquity, and I will not count with their chosen ones. The righteous will punish me with mercy and reprove me, but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head, for my prayer is also in their favor. The sacrifices were at the stone of their judge: my words will be heard, for I have done it. Like the thickness of the earth has sagged on the earth, scattering their bones in hell. For my eyes are toward You, O Lord, Lord: I have trusted in You, do not take away my soul. Keep me from the snare that I have made, and from the temptation of those who practice iniquity. Sinners will fall into their depths: I am one, until I will pass away.

Psalm 141.

With my voice I cried to the Lord, with my voice I prayed to the Lord. I will pour out my prayer before Him, I will declare my sorrow before Him. Sometimes my spirit disappears from me: and You have known my paths: on this path, I walked in the wrong way, hiding the snare for me. Looking at the right hand and looking, and not without knowing me: perish, flee from me, and seek my soul. I cried out to You, O Lord, saying: You are my hope, You are my part in the land of the living. Listen to my prayer, for you have greatly humbled yourself, deliver me from those who persecute me, for you have become stronger than me. Bring my soul out of prison, to confess to Your name. The righteous are waiting for me, until now reward me.

Psalm 142.

Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness, and do not enter into judgment with Thy servant, for no one living will be justified before You. As if the enemy drove my soul, he humbled my belly to eat, he planted me to eat in dark, like dead centuries. And my spirit is depressed within me, my heart is troubled within me. I have remembered the days of old, I have learned in all Your works, I have learned Your hand in all creation. My hands have lifted up to You, my soul, like a waterless land to You. Hear me soon, Lord, my spirit has disappeared, do not turn Your face away from me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit. I hear Thy mercy upon me in the morning, for I trust in Thee. Tell me, Lord, I will go the other way, because I have taken my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your Good Spirit will guide me to the right land. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, live me, by Thy righteousness remove my soul from sorrow. And by Thy mercy consume my enemies and destroy all my cold souls, for I am Thy servant.

Glory:

According to the 19th kathisma, Trisagion.

The same troparia, tone 7: Thanks, I praise You, my God, for you have given repentance to all sinners. Savior, do not disgrace me, when you come to judge the whole world, the shameful deeds of the one who has done. Glory: Immeasurable to You, having sinned and immeasurable torment, I await, my God, having mercy, save me. And now: I now resort to the multitude of Your mercy: resolve the chains, O Theotokos, of my sins.

Lord, have mercy (40) and prayer:

Master Christ God, Who healed my passions with Your Passion and healed my ulcers with Your ulcers, grant to me, who have sinned much against You, tears of tenderness, dissolve my body from the smell of Your life-giving Body, and delight my soul with Your Honest Blood from sorrow, with which I was given a drink by the enemy. . Raise my mind to You, which has been drawn down below, and lift me from the abyss of destruction, as I am not the imam of repentance, not the imam of tenderness, not the imam of comforting tears, leading children to their inheritance. My mind has been darkened by worldly passions, I cannot look to You in illness, I cannot warm myself with tears, even love for You, but, Master Lord Jesus Christ, Treasure of the Good, grant me complete repentance, and a heart laboring to seek Yours, grant me grace Yours, and renew in me the eyes of Your image. Forsaken Thee, do not forsake me, go out to seek me, lead me to Thy pasture, and number me among the sheep of Thy chosen flock, educate me with them from the grain of Thy Divine mysteries, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.

Written, according to the inscriptions of the Greek and Latin Bibles, during the persecution of Absalom, the psalm represents a prayer to God for possible quick help and inner enlightenment of the persecuted writer.

God! Hear me and do not enter into judgment with Your servant (1-2). The enemy is pursuing me; I lose courage and calm down only by thinking about Your works (3-5). I wait for help from You, like a thirsty land for rain. Grant me Your mercy and deliver me from my enemies (6–9). Teach me to do Your will and destroy my enemies (10–12).

. God! Hear my prayer, heed my prayer according to Thy truth; hear me according to Your righteousness

. and do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for not one living will be justified before You.

“Listen to my prayer according to Thy truth; hear me according to Your righteousness". Protect, O Lord, me, unjustly persecuted, and punish the persecutors as those who act wickedly, since You, Lord, are the defender of righteousness.

. The enemy pursues my soul, trampled my life into the ground, forced me to live in darkness, like those long dead, -

“Trampled my life into the ground”- danger threatens me with death, descent into the earth, into the grave.

. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I reason about the works of Your hands.

“I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Your works, I consider the works of Your hands.”. In the difficult circumstances of persecution, David recalled the extraordinary mercy that the Lord had shown in the history of the Jewish people, reflected, as far as circumstances allowed, on everything that He did, and reflected on all His creation. Obviously, these reflections had a calming effect on David, as they revealed the extraordinary love of God for all created things, which is why in the following verses David continues to turn to Him with a prayer for quick help (vv. 6–7).

. Grant me early hearing of Your mercy, for I trust in You. Show me, [Lord], the path along which I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.

. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I come running to You.

. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me to the land of righteousness.

"It's too early to hear mercy"- see an ambulance. – "Show me... the path I should take", “teach me to do Your will”, “Let Your good Spirit lead me into the land of righteousness”– synonymous expressions. Teach me, Lord, to steadfastly follow Your commandments, so that I may be worthy to dwell in that land (Palestine), which You have appointed only for the righteous.

. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, quicken me; For the sake of Your righteousness, lead my soul out of adversity.

"For Thy name's sake, O Lord, quicken me"- in order to be worthy to praise Your name, revive me with justification, internal cleansing from my shortcomings. Here, David’s recognition of some of his uncleanness before the Gods during his flight from his enemies is one of the signs of the origin of the psalm in the persecution of Absalom, which we discussed above.

This psalm is the last in the sixth psalm. Having strengthened a person in the hope of receiving salvation (), the Church on behalf of the believers prays to God to show him the path of activity (8th article), teach him to do His will and honor him with “lands and righteousness” (10).