Who Wrote the Book of Psalms?

Prophet King David,  Icon available from Holy Transfiguration Store

According to Holy Orthodox Tradition,  King David wrote the Psalms.  Higher Criticism ridicules this fact.  But Jewish oral and written tradition confirms and affirms Orthodox traditional beliefs, the Psalms are the prayers of King David indeed. Admittedly,  the mechanism for the transmission of these prayers is complicated and fascinating.

Listen to what the Jewish community has to say,

"Who Wrote the Book of Psalms?
From Chabad.org
Question:
I was always under the impression that King David was the author of the book of Psalms (Tehillim). But as I read through the psalms, I saw that many of them are attributed to other composers: Moses, Asaph, Heiman, and others. What’s the deal?

Answer:

A quick perusal through the Book of Psalms will reveal numerous chapters attributed to various great personalities.

The Talmud enumerates ten authors other than King David. “David composed the Book of Psalms through ten elders: Adam, Melchizedek, Abraham (1. See Notes),  Moses, Heiman, Yedutun, Asaph, and the three sons of Korach.”(2) Furthermore, according to the Midrash, Jacob recited psalms during his 20-year stay in Laban’s home.(3)

Clearly, many psalms were composed and recited many generations before King David, yet Psalms is popularly known as the book of King David! The Talmud states that Rabbi Meir would say, “All the praises stated in the book of Psalms were recited by David, as it is stated: ‘The prayers of David, son of Yishai, are ended (kalu).’(4) Do not read kalu; rather, read kolelu, - ‘all of these’”—which indicates that the entire book of Psalms consists of the prayers of King David.(5)

To clarify this conundrum, we must first properly appreciate the unique stature of Psalms. It is the only book in Tanach that is compared to the Torah itself.(6)

More than just a collection of beautiful songs composed by various authors, it is considered the “Bible of Prayer.” Just as all of Torah is sourced in the five books of Moses, prayer in Judaism is sourced in the five books of Psalms. For all generations, Psalms gives every Jew, be he a great sage or a simpleton, the ability to best express and articulate supplication and thanksgiving to his Creator.(7)

Why, of all the great leaders of history, did G‑d ordain King David, the “Sweet Singer of Israel,” (8) to be the one to redact the songs of praise from the beginning of time, and to bequeath to the Jewish nation the gift of prayer?(9)

Because during his entire life, King David was immersed in the constant recitation of psalms. In times of trouble and success, as a hunted fugitive(10) and as the victorious king at the pinnacle of royalty and greatness,(11)  his lips never ceased to sing the praises of G‑d.

Although many psalms were originally composed by others, it was King David’s recital that established them as immortal songs of praise.


FOOTNOTES
1. Psalms 89. Eitan HaEzrachi refers to Abraham (see Talmud, Bava Batra 15a).
2. Talmud, Bava Batra 14b.
3. Bereishit Rabbah 68:12.
4. Psalms 72:20.
5. Talmud, Pesachim 117a.
6. Midrash Tehillim; foreword to Psalms by Rabbeinu Yosef ibn Yahya.
7. See Maamarei Admor Hazaken 5565, vol. 1, page 56.
8. II Samuel 23:1.
9. Yalkut Shimoni, Tehillim 613: “May the words of my mouth be acceptable” (Psalms 19:15): King David prayed that his words should be inscribed for posterity.
10. Psalms 52 and 54.
11. See Talmud, Berachot 4a."

The Orthodox Church is the "House of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth" 1 Tim. 3:15

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." Gospel of John 14:6 NASB

Concerning the recent decision of the U. S. Supreme Court,  the following,  succinctly states the position of the Orthodox Church in this matter.  There is no way that we could believe otherwise,  and remain Orthodox.

I agree with the following proclamation,

"June 26, 2015

Statement from the Diocesan Chancery on the Contemporary Question of Homosexual Marriage to the Clergy and Flock of the Diocese

March 16/29, 2013 Martyrs Sabinus and Papas
Updated November 8/21, 2014 Archangel Michael and All the Bodiless Powers
Updated June 13/26, 2015 Martyr Aquilina of Byblos in Syria

Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that homosexual marriage is a constitutional right in the United States of America. Given the ubiquitous coverage the news media is providing on this issue it is important that our clergymen and parishioners fully understand the position of the Church in this regard.

Living in a free society as we do, we should first be thankful that we have the opportunity to practice our Orthodox Faith without inordinate interference from the government.

In recent history this was not the case in Russia, and is still not the case in many countries throughout the world. In a free society all views can be shared in the public arena – both views we agree with as Orthodox Christians and those we disagree with. We call upon our flock to be guided first and foremost by the Holy Tradition of the Church in discerning whether any contemporary question is something that is compatible to the Orthodox faith.

If an Orthodox Christian chooses to engage in public political discourse this should be done with moderation and with a firm intention and watchfulness not to fall into extremism.

Extremism is not conducive to softening hearts or bringing others to the faith. Laymen who choose to engage in political speech should not state that they speak on behalf of the Church. Strictly speaking such an authoritative statement can be made only by a bishop or with a bishop’s specific blessing.

It should also be made clear that living a homosexual or any other sinful lifestyle is not compatible with Christianity and this has always been the teaching of the Church.

That being stated, it is also crucial to state that the Church is a Spiritual Hospital and all those wishing to receive the healing freely offered by God through their repentance and God’s Grace are fully welcome.

This includes those who have participated in immoral or unnatural acts of any kind as well as those who are tempted by such sins. The Church is empathetic to those who suffer in such a way and offers them support, healing, and Christian love.

Those actively engaging in any immoral or unnatural pursuits cannot live a full sacramental life within the Church.

However, this does not mean that we seek to drive away or ostracize those who have transgressed in such a way. Rather, we must make all efforts to draw those in such an unfortunate situation back to chastity and the opportunity to again partake in the Life-Giving Mysteries of the Church and to engage the struggle for their salvation within the parish community.


Today's Supreme Court ruling makes homosexual marriage legal in the United States. It should be made clear that under no circumstances will the Church recognize homosexual marriage, accord it the status of traditional marriage, or bless such unions.

However, this is not to state that those who have entered into such a union have stepped beyond a line from which they cannot return. The Church has always strongly condemned heresies (such as Novatianism, Montanism, and Donatism) which deny the possibility of repentance for those having committed certain sins.

It is crucial that our clergymen not shy away from the position of the Church as regards the sinfulness of homosexuality and other unnatural expressions of the God-given gift of human sexuality – but it is also crucial that such statements be made with love and with a corresponding invitation to repentance and reconciliation with the Church.

We call upon all to pray for our land – that the Lord will forgive us our collective societal sins as well as our personal sins and provide us a safe haven which allows us to work out our salvation in peace."

From The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia website

"But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth." The Apostle Paul in
his letter, 1 Timothy 3:15 NKJV

St Ephraim of Nea Makri, and the Repose of Photios Kontoglou (+July 13,1965)

This is the place of martyrdom of St Ephraim the New,  in his monastery in Nea Makri, Greece. I took this photo when I visited 

in 2004. Beside the icon is the tree from which St Ephraim was hanged. 

The following story appeared in the Orthodox blog,  Full of Grace and Truth


"The prototype icon of St. Ephraim of Nea Makri, painted by the famed iconographer of the 20th century Photios Kontoglou (+1965). He was asked to paint the Saint's icon, and thus prayed to the Saint to enlighten him to depict his form. The Saint appeared to him, and Kontoglou's icon later became the inspiration for all other icons of St. Ephraim (source)
 
Photios Kontoglou was born in Aivali of Asia Minor on November 8th 1895, and reposed in Athens on July 13th, 1965. The following event occurred at the last moments of his life in the hospital, and the wondrous appearance of St. Ephraim the Wonderworker to his wife.

The ever-memorable Photios Kontoglou was enduring difficult days in the hospital, and his wife, Maria Kontoglou, was kneeling and praying for his healing, calling upon our great St. Ephraim. Let us not forget that the sanctified hand of this grace-bestowing iconographer had fashioned the first icon of our Saint! Maria Kontoglou was awaiting something from the Saint.

And what greater help could she expect from him, for at that exact hour when she was praying, she saw the soul of Photios Kontoglou being held by St. Ephraim, who was leading him to Heaven with great glory!

She was astonished to see all of this! What did this mean? At that hour, her question was solved, when she received a phone call from the hospital, which informed her that her husband was ascending weightlessly to Heaven! In reality, the Saint was his guide!

(amateur translation of text from source, from the book "Visions and Miracles of the Holy Greatmartyr Ephraim the Wonderworker - 3rd Volume, published by the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos of Mount Amomon)

The tomb of Photios Kontoglou is in the courtyard of the Monastery of St. Ephraim of Nea Makri. Of note, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the repose of this most blessed and influential iconographer, one of the greatest masters of Byzantine art and a true Christian (source)

Blessed Photios Kontoglou

The Silent Angel

From Pravoslavie. ru

"Filming of The Silent Angel, a documentary dedicated to Bulgarian centenarian Elder Dobri ("Dyado Dobri") is now ready after several moths of shooting, local media outlets report.

Bulgarian, German and US producers have said their work is now entering into a process of editing. In a matter of months it will be released in Bulgaria and elsewhere and will tell the story of a man who devoted the better part of his life to help the church.

Bulgarian cinemas are likely to screen it either at the end of the summer or early in the autumn, daily Trud wrote on Thursday.

The Silent Angel will feature interviews with his family, relatives, and friends, but also with Bulgaria's last King and former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

In 2013, Elder Dobri was part of Novinite's Personality in the News poll, and won overwhelmingly, coming first not only in his (Charity) category but also gaining more votes than all other participants combined.

An icon of charity, he came under the spotlight when it was revealed that for years he had walked more than 10 km to reach Sofia from his home in the village of Baylovo to beg for money and then donate it for charity.

After spending years at the entrance of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with a plastic cup in his hand, he collected about BGN 40 000 (EUR 20 000) for the cathedral in Sofia and BGN 10 000 (EUR 5000) for the Sts Cyril and Methodius church in Baylovo.

In 2000, he donated all his properties to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and now lives in a building attached to the Sts Cyril and Methodius Church."

Elder Dobri was born on 20 July 1914, therefore, in twenty five days,  he will be 101 years old, God willing. May we have his blessing!
Please click here to watch the trailer