Continuing my posts of patristic texts coinciding with this Sunday’s Psalm study.
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, O my soul! (Ps 103:20-22)
That name, therefore, we pray may “be hallowed.” Not that it is becoming for men to wish God well, as if there were any other god by whom He may be wished well, or as if He would suffer unless we do so wish. Plainly, it is universally becoming for God to be blessed in every place and time, on account of the memory of His benefits ever due from every man. But this petition also serves the turn of a blessing. Otherwise, when is the name of God not “holy,” and “hallowed” through Himself, seeing that of Himself He sanctifies all others—He to whom that surrounding circle of angels do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy?” Likewise, therefore, we too,... if we succeed in deserving it, begin even here on earth to learn by heart that strain hereafter to be raised unto God, and the function of future glory.
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lᴏʀᴅ, O my soul! (Ps 103:20-22)
That name, therefore, we pray may “be hallowed.” Not that it is becoming for men to wish God well, as if there were any other god by whom He may be wished well, or as if He would suffer unless we do so wish. Plainly, it is universally becoming for God to be blessed in every place and time, on account of the memory of His benefits ever due from every man. But this petition also serves the turn of a blessing. Otherwise, when is the name of God not “holy,” and “hallowed” through Himself, seeing that of Himself He sanctifies all others—He to whom that surrounding circle of angels do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy?” Likewise, therefore, we too,... if we succeed in deserving it, begin even here on earth to learn by heart that strain hereafter to be raised unto God, and the function of future glory.
Tertullian, On Prayer, III
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