Book of psalms Quote by Richard H. Schmidt
““According to Benedict's scheme, the community reads through... the entire book of Psalms every week. The monks are therefore exposed... to all the despairing, doubtful, bitter, vindictive, jingoistic, nationalistic, and seemingly racist passages in the Psalter. It is not that every sentiment expressed by a psalmist is admirable, but that in praying the Psalms, we confront ourselves as we really are. The Psalms are a reality check to keep prayer from becoming sentimental, superficial, or detached from the real world.””
About This Quote
Reading the Psalms weekly exposes monks to a full range of human emotions, preventing shallow prayer and fostering honest self‑examination.
In simple terms: Regular Psalm reading forces confronting all feelings, keeping prayer sincere.
Key Takeaway
Prayer should be honest, not sentimental.
Themes
spirituality
self‑reflection
honesty
literature
Mood
introspective
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Monastic life
- personal meditation
- religious education
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
Practical Applications
- Use diverse texts to challenge personal biases
Questions to Reflect On
- Which emotions do you avoid in prayer?
- How can confronting darkness improve spiritual growth?
A Different Perspective
Some passages may be disturbing or controversial.
