Verses to the divine David

Be silent, Orpheus; thy lyre throw aside, O Hermes.
The tripod at Delphi hath sunk into oblivion for evermore.
For us David doth now play the Spirit’s lyre,
The hidden things of God’s mysteries he revealeth;
A multitude of ancient wonders he narrateth;
Of the Creator of creation, doth he move one to sing.
Saving all those men he initiateth, as he writeth his verses,
Sinners doth he bring to desire repentance.
Among other teachings, to the throng doth he declare the Judge’s judgments.
The purging, he doth teach, of soulful sinnings.

This poem is included at the beginning of many Greek Psalters, and was possibly first written in the 10th century. The most stunning part is, of course, the first three lines, which contrast David, Israel’s poet-king, with the greatest musicians of pagan Greece.

Orpheus was the greatest musician and singer of the mythical world. Mortal friend of the nine Muses, he was able to enchant creation with his song. He was even able to capture the cold hearts of Hades and Persephone, King and Queen of the Underworld (although he ultimately failed to rescue his love from their domain). The lyre was invented by Hermes, one of the most creative (and mischievous) of the Olympians. But soon after inventing it, Hermes traded his lyre to Apollo, the god of music. Apollo was also the god of prophecy, and his priestess was the oracle who sat on the tripod at Delphi, declaring the god’s mysteries.

But in this poem, these great pagan sources of music and mystery are confronted and silenced by David the Psalmist. He is inspired by the true Muse, the Holy Spirit. He plays a holy lyre, not obscuring the truth but making mysteries known. In David’s presence, Orpheus is struck dumb, Hermes’ lyre is useless, and the power of the Delphic oracle is broken.

In the songs of David, we have the true musical prophecy given by the Creator for His creation. And chiefly, his theme is repentance. Chiefly, what is revealed in the Judge’s judgments is the forgiveness of sins. David is an icon of Christ the true Orpheus, who descends into the underworld and succeeds in bringing His Bride out of death. The Psalms of David are the true oracles of the God who makes known the mystery of His glory in justifying sinners.