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We are People of the Psalms, People of Conversion


by Sister Monika Ellis, OSB


(originally for Let There Be Psalms, a program sponsored by Interfaith Works, formerly known as Associated Ministries of Thurston County)

St. Placid Priory is a monastery of Benedictine women. As monastics we live together, commit our lives to God and each other through monastic promises, minister to people however we are able, and pray. Central to our lives is the communal daily praying of the Liturgy of the Hours at Morning Praise, Noon Praise, and Evening Praise. The bulk of what we pray during the Liturgy of the Hours is from the Book of Psalms. So will I ever sing psalms in praise of your name as I fulfill my vows day after day. —Ps. 61

Language is formative. The words we choose to say form us as well as inform others. When words are repeated, day in / day out, month in / month out, year in / year out, a person's life gradually takes on the character of the words uttered. Our monastic community can literally say we are people shaped by the Psalms. I stated above that we make monastic promises. One of these promises is conversion of life—a willingness to change as a result of our praying. The Psalms are one way we listen to how God is inviting us to change.

The Psalms express the widest range of emotions and universal truths with beautiful words, rich imagery, and rhythm. In other words, the Psalms are wonderful works of art. The following are examples with comments from my sisters which may give you a glimpse into our interior life, shaped by the Psalms:

O God, you are my God whom I eagerly seek; for you my flesh longs and my soul thirstslike the earth, parched, lifeless, and without water. —Ps. 63 "Now that I am aging and there is more time to reflect on the past, present, and future, I find myself frequently saying these words to bring myself into the presence of God, reminding myself that God will always take care of me."

"I love to take a verse and follow it in different translations. Writing these out soothes me and anoints my soul!"

"I like to make breath prayers, for example, They go out full of tears; (inhale) they come back full of song. (exhale) —Ps. 126.6 or Pause awhile (inhale) and know that I am God. (exhale) —Ps. 46.10

When my spirit faints within me, you, God, know my path. —Ps. 142 "Life is a mystery. When I can't figure things out, I'm reminded not to worry—God is in charge."

Our soul is waiting for God.
God is our help and our shield.
In God do our hearts find joy.
We trust in God's holy name. —Ps. 33
"Praying this Psalm caused a profound shift in the way I approach my life. I moved from a stance of fear to one of deep trust in God. I am not always happy, but I am filled with joy—because I recognize, as these lines indicate, the source of joy is trust in God."

…and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. —Ps. 119 "Over my forty-five years as a Benedictine, each time I pray the Psalms, I meditate, allow the Psalms to ruminate in my heart. And as I do that I am constantly struck by God's steadfast love for me and others."

"All the Psalms have an effect on my life for we are the praying church. Praying Psalms each morning and evening gives me a break from labor and time to think of God, where we are going, and why we are here. I pray for all the people in the cities that surround me. I treasure these times."

O God, you came swiftly on the wings of the wind. You made darkness your covering, your canopy, thick clouds, dark with water. —Ps. 18 Clouds and thick darkness are round about you, O God, righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. —Ps. 97 "I used to pretty much ignore the God who is cloaked in darkness - now I recognize and give thanks for God who is wild, uncontrollable, and not just a Divinity for those of us who have an easier time navigating in light than in darkness."

As the deer longs for running water so my soul longs for you, O God… —Ps. 42 "All of creation instills a longing in me to be close to my creator."

image of Sisters in chapel We pray a monthly cycle of the Psalms, that is, in the course of a month we pray nearly all one hundred fifty Psalms. We chant most of these Psalms using modes that are related to the eight Gregorian modes. These modern modes were composed by Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. Some modes have a sense of seriousness, sadness or lament; they sound minor to our ears. Some modes have a sense of majesty, strength, or praise; they sound major to our ears. In developing our Book of Praise we chose a particular mode for a particular Psalm to support the emotion and enhance the meaning. There is nothing more powerful or profound than words set to fitting music.

Come and pray the Psalms with us. Listen to their words inviting a change of heart. Chant them and feel their rhythm. Enjoy their beauty. See our praise schedule.