On the Good of Psalmody

Contents

1. 1Nicetas traces sacred song back to Moses’ song at the Red Sea, sung by choirs of men and women, to Deborah, and to Moses’ warning song in Deuteronomy.
2. 2Nicetas names David as the prince of singers, whose lyre calmed Saul because its wood and stretched strings prefigured the cross.
3. 3Nicetas praises the Psalms as a medicine for every age and condition, sweetened by song, and containing all that the prophets and gospels teach.
4. 4Nicetas lists the moral teaching of the Psalms and their prophecies of Christ, from his generation and passion to his resurrection, session, return in judgment and the eternal kingdom.
5. 5Nicetas says the church’s psalms are songs of God that please him, and that the Psalmist calls all creation to praise.
6. 6Nicetas cites the Psalmist’s praise seven times a day and all day long, and says such praise was David’s shield against Goliath and his enemies.
7. 7Nicetas cites New Testament song: Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s praise, the angels at Christ’s birth, the children’s Hosanna, and the hymn sung by Christ with his disciples.
8. 8Nicetas says that the church’s vigils join the unceasing praise of the angels in Revelation and the songs of Moses, Hannah, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Jonah and the three young men.
9. 9Nicetas compares the vigil’s psalms, prayers and readings to a varied banquet for the soul.
10. 10Nicetas asks the congregation to sing with understanding and with one voice, without theatrical display, and to keep silence during the readings.
11. 11Nicetas tells his hearers not to pray privately during the readings, citing Mary of Bethany, and to follow the deacon’s calls so that all act together.