‘For his mercy endures forever’ (Psalm 136) … the polyelaios in the Church of San Giorgio dei Greci (Ἅγιος Γεώργιος τῶν Ἑλλήνων) in Venice (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2022)
Patrick Comerford
In the Calendar of the Church, we are in Ordinary Time. Before today begins, I am taking some time this morning to continue my reflections drawing on the Psalms.
In my blog, I am reflecting each morning in this Prayer Diary in these ways:
1, Short reflections on a psalm or psalms;
2, reading the psalm or psalms;
3, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary.
Psalm 136:
Psalm 136 is notable for the refrain which forms the second half of each verse, ‘for his steadfast love endures for ever’. In the slightly numbering system in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, this is Psalm 135.
Together, the two psalms Psalm 135 and 136 form a single composite unit, similar in tone, vocabulary and literary structure to the group of psalms known as Hallel. Some Jewish Sages called these two psalms ‘The Great Hallel’ to distinguish them from Psalms 113-118 which they called the ‘Egyptian Hallel,’ since it contains a reference to the Exodus from Egypt.
It is likely that both psalms were written for public worship in the Temple, and both are litanies or a series of invocations said by a leader of prayer, together with congregational responses.
Psalm 136 is arranged in well-marked groups of three verses to the end of verse 18, after which follow two groups of four verses.
The former Chief Rabbi, the late Lord (Jonathan) Sacks says that originally in the Temple, the leader of prayer said the first half of each verse of Psalm 136, to which the congregation responded with the second half.
As in several other psalms, this poem opens with cosmology and ends with history. It begins with God as Creator, and continues with God as Redeemer.
The Jewish Sages related the 26 verses of this psalm to the 26 generations between Adam and the giving of the Torah – from creation to revelation.
Because of its summary of the events of the Exodus, Psalm 136 forms part of the Haggadah on Pesach.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Psalm 135 and Psalm 136 (134 and 135 in the Septuagint) are called the Polyeleos (Πολυέλεος) or ‘Many Mercies,’ named such after the refrain ‘for his steadfast love endures for ever,’ or ‘for his mercy endures forever’ (ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ) in Psalm 136.
The Polyeleos is sung at Orthros (Matins) of a Feast Day and at Vigils. On Mount Athos and in some Slavic traditions, it is read every Sunday at Orthros.
On Mount Athos, it is considered one of the most joyful periods of Matins-Liturgy, and the highest point of Matins. In Athonite practice, all the candles are lit, and the chandeliers are made to swing as the psalms are sung, it is also accompanied by a joyful peal of the bells and censing of the church, sometimes with a hand censer that has many bells. At vigils, it accompanies the opening of the Royal Doors and a great censing of the nave by the priests or deacons.
Because of its liturgical importance, beautiful settings for the Polyeleos have been composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff and other composers.
The name Polyeleos has given the name ‘polyelaios’ (πολυελαιος) to the chandelier in many churches in the form of a very large circle with many candles and often adorned with icons of saints. The polyelaios is suspended by a chain from the ceiling. During the chanting of the Polyeleos psalms, all the candles are lit, and it is pushed with a rod so that it turns back and forth during the singing to symbolise the presence of the angels and adding to the joy of the service. This custom is still a practice in the monasteries on Mount Athos and in many Orthodox monasteries.
The Lord made ‘the moon and stars to rule over the night’ (Psalm 136: 9) … the recent ‘Museum of the Moon’ installation in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)
Psalm 136 (NRSVA):
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
4 who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
5 who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
6 who spread out the earth on the waters,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
7 who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
16 who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
17 who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
18 and killed famous kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
22 a heritage to his servant Israel,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
25 who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Today’s Prayer:
The theme in the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) this week has been ‘Tackling Poverty.’ It was introduced on Sunday by Niall Cooper, Director at Church Action on Poverty.
Saturday 9 July 2022:
The USPG Prayer Diary invites us to pray today in these words:
We pray for our political leaders that they may learn to make better provision for those living in poverty.
Yesterday’s reflection
Continued tomorrow
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
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