“Seven times in the day,” Benedict writes, quoting the psalmist, “I have rendered praise to You” (Ps. 119:164). In Chapters 17 and 18 of the Rule, Benedict goes on to specify the order of psalms to be said at the smaller offices throughout the day: Terce (mid-morning), Sext (mid-day) and None (mid-afternoon). “At Terce, Sext and None on Monday let the nine remaining sections of Psalm 118 be said” (Psalm 119 in the Masoretic numbering), “three at each of these Hours. . . Let the nine Psalms from Psalm 119 to Psalm 127 be said at Terce, Sext and None, three at each Hour, beginning with Tuesday.”
As C. S. Lewis and other authors have pointed out, many of the psalms are not comforting. The psalter contains psalms of complaining, judgment, and cursing as well as those of praise and comfort. However, Benedict has chosen a collection of reassuring wisdom psalms to be said at the little offices, beginning with Psalm 119. Psalm 120 begins, “When I was in trouble, I called to the Lord . . . and he answered me.” Psalm 121 is a comforting favorite of many. Many times, as I approach my favorite place of worship, I remember the words “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’ ” (Psalm 122).
Psalm 125 tells us that “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but stands fast forever.” And this collection ends with Psalm 128 (Psalm 127 in Benedict’s Septuagint Bible): “Happy are they all who fear the Lord, and who follow in his ways!” The path of discipleship isn’t always easy, and in the monastic day of prayer and work, work and prayer, psalms such as these offered important reassurance. Happy are those who fear the Lord and follow in his ways.
Prayer
Steadfast God, thank you for the reassurance that you are watching over us, by day and by night. Help me always to look to you, trust in you and, with gratitude, follow you. Amen.
Improbable Benedictine 