Psalmody in the Hesychastic Tradition

Abstract

Psalmody plays an important role in Christianity. From the very beginning of monastic life, the psalms were an important part of both communal and personal prayer. The chanting and recitation of the psalms are the structural contexts of individual Hesychast practices. Thanks to the practice of psalmody, God’s blessing involves a Hesychast’s participation. Psalmody has a healing effect on the human soul. It is helpful in the fight against evil spirits and the overcoming of evil passions. Hesychasts can focus on God more easily, and thus improve on the ability of attentive meditation and constant prayer of the heart through the regular practice of psalmody. The Philocalic Fathers taught how for long and in what way one was to pray the psalms in order to acquire the best possible result in their spiritual life. Frequently repeated psalms have a similar effect to practicing the Jesus Prayer because the psalms affect all dimensions of the human person. The Hesychast tradition is characterized by the relationship of practicing psalmody and the spiritual condition of man. The regular and intensive practice of psalmody is helpful for the deepening of the ardent desire of the Hesychast for an intimate relationship with God.