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رسالة القديس أثناسيوس الرسولى فى معنى المزامير
A Classic of Ancient Christian Spirituality. In this letter to a friend, Athanasius of Alexandria (ca. 298-373) offers spiritual guidance on how to read the psalms. Athanasius believed that the Psalms were divinely inspired, which is why they are so helpful to the human soul. He describes the Psalter as a choice garden filled with a variety of fruit for the soul—all of which feed the human condition. The Psalms speak to the whole range of human emotion-- anger, fear, desire, and happiness--offering insight into the movements of the heart like a mirror to the soul. With guidance the Psalms not only provide insight into inner life, they also provide what we need to say or do in order to bring healing to our souls.
45 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 373
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Athanasius of Alexandria
354 books329 followersborn perhaps 293
Greek patriarch Saint Athanasius, known as "the Great," of Alexandria led defenders of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
An Athanasian follows him, especially in opposition to Arianism.
Christians attributed Athanasian Creed, which dates probably from the fifth century, but people now consider its unknown origin.
People also refer to Athanasius (Arabic: البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي, as the Confessor and the Apostolic, primarily in the Coptic Church; he served as the twentieth bishop. From 8 June 328, his episcopate lasted, but four different Roman emperors ordered him to spend five exiles for 17 years. People consider this renowned theologian, a Father of the Church, the chief of Trinitarianism, and a noted Egyptian of the fourth century.
People remember his role in the conflict. In 325, Athanasius at the age of 27 years played a role in the first council of Nicaea. At the time, he served as a deacon and personal secretary of Alexander, the nineteenth bishop. Constantine I convoked Nicaea in May–August 325 to address the position of Jesus of Nazareth of a distinct substance from the Father.
Three years after Nicæa and upon the repose of Alexander, bishop, he served in June 328 at the age of 30 years as archbishop. He continued to the conflict for the rest of his life, and theological and political struggles engaged him against Constantine and Constantius II, the emperors, and against Eusebius of Nicomedia and other powerful and influential churchmen. He stood as "Athanasius contra Mundum," against the world. Within a few years of his departure, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "pillar of the Church." All fathers of the Church followed and well regarded his writings in the west and the east. His writings show a rich devotion to the Word, the Son of Man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism.
The Roman Catholic Church counts Athanasius and three other doctors, and east labels him the "father." Many Protestants also celebrate him and label him "father of the canon." People venerate Athanasius on feast day, 2 May in west, 15 May in Coptic, and 18 January in the other eastern churches. The Roman Catholic Church, Orient, east, Lutherans, and Anglican communion venerate him.
Greek patriarch Saint Athanasius, known as "the Great," of Alexandria led defenders of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
An Athanasian follows him, especially in opposition to Arianism.
Christians attributed Athanasian Creed, which dates probably from the fifth century, but people now consider its unknown origin.
People also refer to Athanasius (Arabic: البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي, as the Confessor and the Apostolic, primarily in the Coptic Church; he served as the twentieth bishop. From 8 June 328, his episcopate lasted, but four different Roman emperors ordered him to spend five exiles for 17 years. People consider this renowned theologian, a Father of the Church, the chief of Trinitarianism, and a noted Egyptian of the fourth century.
People remember his role in the conflict. In 325, Athanasius at the age of 27 years played a role in the first council of Nicaea. At the time, he served as a deacon and personal secretary of Alexander, the nineteenth bishop. Constantine I convoked Nicaea in May–August 325 to address the position of Jesus of Nazareth of a distinct substance from the Father.
Three years after Nicæa and upon the repose of Alexander, bishop, he served in June 328 at the age of 30 years as archbishop. He continued to the conflict for the rest of his life, and theological and political struggles engaged him against Constantine and Constantius II, the emperors, and against Eusebius of Nicomedia and other powerful and influential churchmen. He stood as "Athanasius contra Mundum," against the world. Within a few years of his departure, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "pillar of the Church." All fathers of the Church followed and well regarded his writings in the west and the east. His writings show a rich devotion to the Word, the Son of Man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism.
The Roman Catholic Church counts Athanasius and three other doctors, and east labels him the "father." Many Protestants also celebrate him and label him "father of the canon." People venerate Athanasius on feast day, 2 May in west, 15 May in Coptic, and 18 January in the other eastern churches. The Roman Catholic Church, Orient, east, Lutherans, and Anglican communion venerate him.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 4, 2024
Beautiful
February 29, 2024
Up there with Augustine, Lewis and Bonhoeffer for favourite ideas and perspectives on the Psalms. The images of the Psalms as a garden, mirror and the musical metaphors connected to chanting the psalms are so good.
February 8, 2024
I read this in vol. 27 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca.
Athanasius teaches that all of the contents of the rest of the bible are contained in the Psalms in short, pithy summaries, ready to be sung by God's people, and that for every situation that a believer might encounter in this life, there is a Psalm relevant to it waiting to be sung. He then gives a fairly exhaustive list of potential situations, from persecutions to times of prosperity, where individual Psalms would be relevant.
This letter of Marcellinus is therefore a good introduction and preface to the Psalms.
His Greek is not too difficult, and pastors and seminarians should consider using his writings to further their study of the Greek language. Assuming one begins with the New Testament, then moves on to the Apostolic Fathers and the Septuagint, Athanasius is a good "third step" in reading Greek.
Athanasius teaches that all of the contents of the rest of the bible are contained in the Psalms in short, pithy summaries, ready to be sung by God's people, and that for every situation that a believer might encounter in this life, there is a Psalm relevant to it waiting to be sung. He then gives a fairly exhaustive list of potential situations, from persecutions to times of prosperity, where individual Psalms would be relevant.
This letter of Marcellinus is therefore a good introduction and preface to the Psalms.
His Greek is not too difficult, and pastors and seminarians should consider using his writings to further their study of the Greek language. Assuming one begins with the New Testament, then moves on to the Apostolic Fathers and the Septuagint, Athanasius is a good "third step" in reading Greek.
July 14, 2017
Excellent
I love the book of psalms as it let's readers find themselves in the experiences and emotions. I love reading material from the church fathers. For a while I have wondered how Athanasius endured 5 exiles and all! The persecution until I read this letter. It is encouraging to see how he swam against the tide , stood for the truth because he was anchored in the enduring Word of God. In this letter he shows Marcellinus how the psalms are for all of life, involve every literary genre and also lead us to Christ.
I love the book of psalms as it let's readers find themselves in the experiences and emotions. I love reading material from the church fathers. For a while I have wondered how Athanasius endured 5 exiles and all! The persecution until I read this letter. It is encouraging to see how he swam against the tide , stood for the truth because he was anchored in the enduring Word of God. In this letter he shows Marcellinus how the psalms are for all of life, involve every literary genre and also lead us to Christ.
September 2, 2020
Everything you always wanted to know about the book of Psalms, but were afraid to ask. Seriously, this is a fascinating glimpse into the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
October 21, 2022
One of the most excellent summaries of each psalm, how they should be prayed, and for what purpose or circumstance. This is a must-have reference for those who want to sing the Lord’s songs.
December 26, 2025
Will return to this for wisdom on reading and singing the Psalms.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews