Justin Appel

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today’s psalm is Psalm 103. When I think of this psalm, it puts me in mind of how it serves as part of the “Preparatory” segment of the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, the historic liturgy celebrated most frequently in the Christian East. This introductory part of the liturgy serves to prepare everyone for entering into heaven, sort of like a holy rocket launch!

Just prior to this psalm, the congregation has participated in a “litany”—essentially a set of short prayers followed with the response, “Lord, have mercy.” These prayers cover all kinds of intentions, including “the peace of the whole world.”

This is where the Psalm kicks in, six verses with a doxology:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.’
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

This liturgical context gives Psalm 103 a cosmic connotation, and it’s quite moving to consider it in this light.

This context helps us appreciate the following setting of Psalm 103 by Sergei Rachmaninov, who, although he was not a church-goer, had a tremendous sympathy for the sounds of church chanting, and who composed his own Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom with great feeling and respect, sometimes composing his own chant-like material.

Enjoy a recording of this setting here.

Yours in Christ,

—Justin