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| Saint Athanasius (Public Domain) |
He authored a number of works which are still in existence today. Perhaps the most famous is his biography of Anthony the Great (a Desert Father leader), which helped monasticism to spread throughout Western Europe.
Some of the works are epistles, such as his well-known Letter of St. Athanasius to Marcellinus on the Interpretation of the Psalms.
In this letter to Marcellinus (a physically-ill, but spiritually-strong friend), Athanasius waxes eloquently about the Psalms (which both correspondents have been devotedly studying). Athanasius
introduces the topic by stating that a "certain studious old man" had once taught him much about the Psalter. He then proceeds to pass this "old man's"
(whom many think is Athanasius himself) wisdom on to Marcellinus.
One of Athanasius' main points is that the Psalms were meant to be sung. He quotes from James 5:13 in support of this practice: Is any among you
happy? Let him sing! Nevertheless, the "old man" cautions: Holy Scripture is not designed
to tickle the aesthetic palate, and it is
rather for the soul's own profit
that the Psalms are
sung.
Saint Athanasius goes on to explain that "the melody of the words springs naturally from the rhythm of the soul and her own union with the Spirit…" "To
praise God tunefully" should therefore reflect "a peaceful and well-ordered heart" rather than an entertaining display of personal artistry.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius_of_Alexandria
http://cs-people.bu.edu/butta1/personal/marcelli.htm
Copyright December 31, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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