Approved for publication by the Publications Board of the Russian Orthodox Church PB 11-116-1697
С 95
Priest Daniel Sysoev Explanation of Selected Psalms. In Four Parts. Part 4: The last judgment. — New Jersey, Daniel Sysoev Inc, 2018. — 144 pp.
ISBN 978-5-4279-0072-3
Explanation of psalms 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, and 142. This book examines the issues of repentance, prayer, humility, the will of God, blessing and righteous judgment among the nations, the fight against the enemy, and the architecture of hades. “We do not sit at the six psalms, because they symbolize the Last Judgment.” —Saint Paisios of the Holy Mountain
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© Daniel Sysoev Inc, 2018 © Yulia Sysoeva, 2018
CONTENTS
IN TIME OF TRIALS AND MISFORTUNES Explanation of Psalm 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Punishment Through One’s Household. . . . . 6 The Intercessor of the Holy Mountain . . . . 11 Blessing and Justice upon the Nations . . . . 19 PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM ENEMIES Explanation of Psalm 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Anger and Wrath of God . . . . . . . . . . . . The Ability to See One’s Sins. . . . . . . . . . . . . On Repentance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On Fighting the Enemy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE THIRST FOR GOD Explanation of Psalm 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preserve Your Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prayer of the Mind and Heart. . . . . . . . . . . . The Mercy of God is More Important than Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Time for God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Morning Prayers of the Priest. . . . . . . .
24 28 31 35 38 43 47 50 54 57 64
THE REMEDY FOR DESPONDENCY Explanation of Psalm 87. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 The Remedy for Despondency . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Sheol: A Waterless Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Contents
The Aging Process of Man. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 The Architecture of Hades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Why did the Anger of God Rest upon Christ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Only the Living Glorify God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL. . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Explanation of Psalm 102. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 IN SEARCH OF GOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Explanation of Psalm 142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Reasoning and Reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Mercy Surpassing Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 What is Humility? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 The Power of Prayer and Hope in God. . . . 126 How to Do God’s Will. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
IN TIME OF TRIALS AND MISFORTUNES
Explanation of Psalm 3 The Six Psalms begin with Psalm 3, which is called A Psalm of David. When He Fled from the Face of Abessalom His Son (Ps. 3:1). O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain. I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the teeth of sinners hast Thou broken. Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people (Ps. 3:2–9). Rendered into simpler language: “O Lord, why have those who persecute me become so numerous? Many rise up against me; many say concerning me, ‘There is no salvation for him from his God.’ But You, O Lord, are my Helper, my Glory, and You lift up my head. With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord, and He hears me from 5
In Time of Trials and Misfortunes
His holy mountain. I calmly lie down, sleep, and get up, for the Lord helps me. And I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who attack me on all sides. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For You smite all who war against me without a cause, and you break the weapon of the ungodly. Salvation is from the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people.” PUNISHMENT THROUGH ONE’S HOUSEHOLD
King David committed a terrible sin by taking another man’s wife, Bathsheba, to be his own. At that time there was a war with the Ammonites, and David ordered that Bathsheba’s husband be placed in the thick of the fighting, as a result of which he was killed. Then the Lord sent to King David the prophet Nathan, who told him that, in punishment for the secret iniquity that David had committed, his son would rebel against him. As the Lord had foretold, so it came to pass: David’s son Absalom stirred up a rebellion against his father. He declared himself king, his supporters anointed him to kingship, and he declared war on David, who knew that this was his punishment from God. David fled from his son, and as he climbed Mount Olivet he said a prayer, the words 6
Priest Daniel Sysoev
Explanation of Selected Psalms In Four Parts Part 4 The last judgment
Translator Priest Nathan Williams Layout Olga Bochkova Cover and Design Igor Ermolaev
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