Psalms and the Odes

 
When reading the Odes, it becomes immediately apparent that these beautiful works have much in common with the psalms of David. The reason is partly because the Odes are of Jewish origin, but it is also because the early church was intimately connected to the Book of Psalms. They prayed, sang and read the Psalms on a daily basis.
 
The writer of the Odes expresses many of the themes that are also found in the Psalms. For example in "Ode 5," the phrase, "Do not forsake me, for You are my hope" sounds very much like Psalm 71: "You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone." Later in "Ode 5," we read, "And because the Lord is my salvation, I will not fear." It sounds again like David in Psalm 27: "The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?"
 
All throughout the Odes we see these reflections of the Psalms, evidence of the strong influence of the prayers of David on the early Church. Seeing the importance of the Psalms and the vibrancy of joy and faith in the life of the early church is one of the great lessons we learn from exploring the past treasures like this. It is also important to note that the personal expression of love and devotion found in these Odes began in Holy Scripture, moving into the heart and thought of the believers and came out again in a unique song, birthed in the Word of God.