Angelic harp or earthly lyre?; Angels: Day 323

St. Augustine, who was an expert musician, sees a metaphorical meaning in the musical instruments mentioned in the Psalms. When we do what God commands, we’re playing the harp with the angels; when we suffer here below for the sake of our faith, we’re playing the earthly lyre.

“I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God” (Ps. 43:4).

What does it mean to praise him with the lyre, or with the harp? For he does not always praise with the lyre or harp.

These two musical instruments each have a particular meaning and it’s worth our while to consider what it is. Both are carried in the hands, and played by touching. They stand for certain bodily works of ours. Both are good—if you know how to play the lyre or harp. But the harp has its sounding board—that drum or hollow piece of wood that the strings vibrate against, making the sound—on the upper part, whereas the lyre has that same curved sounding board on the lower part.

We can make that same distinction between our works on the lyre or on the harp. Both, however, are acceptable to God, and grateful to his ear.

When we do anything according to God’s commandments, obeying his com- mands and listening to him so that we will know what to do—when we are active and not passive—then we’re playing the harp. This is what the angels do, for they have nothing to suffer.

But when we have to suffer tribulations or trials or insults on this earth, this is the lyre. We suffer only from the lower part of us—that is to say, from the fact that we are mortal, and that we owe some of our trouble to our original cause, and we suffer much from those who are below us. This also is a sweet melody rising from below.

So when we suffer, we play the lyre; when we sing, we play the harp. –St. Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 43, 5

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I recognize that everything I have is a gift from God intended for use in glorifying him? Do I glorify God with all my gifts, as the angels do?

CLOSING PRAYER

Angel of God, help me to use my gifts for God’s glory and offer my sufferings for his glory as well.

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