www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings Psalm 151?

Could someone here please provide the text to the Psalm that I am given to understand is in the Orthodox First Testament? Is there any bits of information as to how it came about to be adopted by the Orthodox? Or is it that Psalm 151 is just a text taken from one of the 150, but renumbered.
I await to be instructed. Thank you!

Dear Durak,

The text of Psalm 151 is the following (KJV):

I was small among my brothers and the youngest in my father's house; I tended my father's sheep.

My hands made a harp; my fingers fashioned a lyre.

And who will tell my Lord; The Lord Himself, it is He who hears.

It was He who sent His messenger, and took me from my father's sheep and anointed me with His anointing oil.

My brothers were handsome and tall, but the Lord was not pleased with them.

I went out to meet the Philistine, and he cursed me by his idols.

But I drew hiw own sword; I beheaded him and took away disgrace from the people of Israel.

This Psalm is described as being "outside the number of 150 Psalms" but it is one of the six additional parts of the First Testament recognized as canonical by the Byzantine Church, "additional" to the Alexandrian Canon acknowledged by the Latin Church.

As I understand it, it has always been part of the Psalter of the Alexandrian Canon and I don't know why the West doesn't acknowledge it as such.

It is clearly separate from the 150 Psalms and is always placed separately at the end of the Byzantine Psalter - although it is sung along with the other Psalms and just before the list of Canticles begins.

I see it as a kind of special tribute to King David and a prayer commemorating his victory over Goliath.

As the Fathers of the Church taught, the Psalter is our new spiritual "sling" or weapon by which we slay the spiritual "Goliath."

Alex

Esteemed Alex,

Thank you for your infomative reply.

Dear Durak,

You are welcome!

It is not as informative as what one would get from Cantor Joseph or Lector Charles, but it's my contribution.

And it is offered in simplicity and love!

Alex

Dang, Alex!

I was just about to post my 345-page dissertation on Psalm 151, but your very simple explanation said it all.

I guess literary virtue lies somewhere between constipation of thought with diarrhea of words and diarrhea of thought with constipation of words.

You are so virtuous ... yeah, right.

Getting snow in Torontollo?

Dear Cantor Joseph,

Coming from you, that truly is a compliment - thank you!

I've been on a steady diet of fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. So far - so good.

You don't think I'm virtuous?

But is it something that would stand in the way of any possible future priestly ordination, do you think?

No snow here yet. Yes, I know it's Canada - El Nino all the way!

God bless,

Alex

Indeed, it has. On the Joyous Saturday Vigil (Midnight of Good Friday until 7-8 a.m. Saturday of Pascha), the whole service begins with the Priest chanting this psalm...it's got it's own special tune. :-)

Peace and grace.
Agape,
Wak-Wak
Amen, maranatha!

Dear Mina,

And what's the name of that tune?

The Coptic Agpeya has a rhythm that is positively infectious!

Once you pick it up, you can't put it down.

I met a Coptic Orthodox priest in our Martyr's Shrine in Midland.

He offered me his Cross to reverence, and I kissed it and pressed it to my head.

That is the Ethiopian tradition, I believe - is it the Coptic too?

Agape,

Wak-wak,

Alex

It has a tune unique to all of the Apeya tunes, I'll try and find a good online recording of it to post here.

Indeed, this is the Coptic tradition. When or when not (some don't in humility) a priest offers his hand, kiss the cross, press it to my head for blessing, then kiss the priest's hand, and press my head to his hand for the blessing. That's the Coptic one. *thumbs up*

Peace and grace to you!
Agape,
Mina/Wak-Wak/Fortunatus (I think I'll be using Fortunatus from now on)
Amen, maranatha!

Dear Mina,

How "Fortunatus" for us to have you here!

Alex

lol
I got that name from a blessed and deaaaaaaaaaaaaar monk at St. Antony's in Egypt.

Anyway, here's the link, unfortunately I could not find it in English online:

http://tasbeha.org/audio/lent.html#saturday
click on Psalm 151, the psalms starts at around 1:26 if i remember correctly. The oldest/higest ranked priests removes his head covering and sings it.

Pray for me guys, i'll be offline as much as possible for a bit (but i have myself always logged on, so don't be alarmed )

peace and grace.
agape,
fortunatus
amen, maranatha!

Dear Fortunatus,

Why is headgear removed at certain times?

Alex