In Inscriptiones Psalmorum: In Sextum Psalmum: In Ecclesiasten Homiliae (Gregorii Nysseni Opera, 5)

Sources chrétiennes #466

by Gregory of Nyssa, P. Alexander (Editor), J. McDonough (Editor)

Gregory of Nyssa (c.330-395) made important contributions to both theological thought and the understanding of the spiritual life. He was especially significant in adapting the thought of Origen to fourth century orthodoxy. The early treatise on the inscriptions of the Psalms shows the early stages of the development of Gregory's thought. This book presents the first translation of the treatise in a modern language. The annotations show Gregory's indebtedness to the thought of classical antiquity as well as to the Bible. The Introduction sets forth the structure of Gregory's treatise, and places it in the context of earlier Christian commentaries on the Psalms. It shows how his hermeneutical approach was influenced by both Iamblichus the Neo-Platonist and Origen. Finally, Dr Heine compares Gregory's understanding of the stages of the spiritual life in the treatise with that in his later and more widely known writings on the life of Moses and the Song of Songs.

464 pages, Leather Bound

First published June 1, 1986

About the author

Gregory of Nyssa was a Christian bishop and saint. He was a younger brother of Basil the Great and a good friend of Gregory Nazianzus. His significance has long been recognized in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholic branches of Christianity.

Gregory along with his brother Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus are known as the Cappadocian Fathers. They attempted to establish Christian philosophy as superior to Greek philosophy.

Reviews

[Yoni T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the most beautiful commentaries on the Psalms of David/Mizmor le'David/Mezmur ze'Dawit ever written. The Psalms are music for healing attuning man to his own and the cosmos' harmonic nature. Gregory of Nyssa sees the entire cosmos as a musical harmony that is wholly embodied in microcosmic man who is in the image of its divine composer.

"It is this music which the conductor of the universe skillfully strikes up in the unspoken speech of wisdom through the ever occurring movements of the celestial bodies." (21)

"Do you see the flute in the windpipe, the bridge of the harp in the palate, the music of the harp that comes from tongue, cheeks, and mouth, as though from strings and a plectrum?" (22)