October 1

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful, composed by the Spirit for the reason, namely, that we people, each and all of us, as if in a general hospital for souls, may select the remedy for his own condition.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 151)

October 2

Now, the prophets teach one thing, historians another, the law something else, and the form of advice found in the proverbs something different still.  But, the Book of Psalms has taken over what is profitable from all.  It foretells coming events; it recalls history; it forms laws for life; it suggests what must be done; and, in general, it is the common treasury of good doctrine, carefully finding what is suitable for each.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 151)

October 3

The old wounds of souls the Psalms cure completely, and the recently wounded it brings speedy improvement; the diseased it treats, and the unharmed it preserves.  On the whole, it effaces, as far as is possible, the passions, which subtly exercise dominion over souls during the lifetime of man, and it does this with a certain orderly persuasion and sweetness which produces sound thoughts.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 151)

October 4

When, indeed, the Holy Spirit saw that the human race was guided only with difficulty toward virtue, and that, because of our inclination toward pleasure, we were neglectful of an upright life, what did He do?  The delight of melody He mingled with the doctrines so that by the pleasantness and softness of the sound heard we might receive without perceiving it the benefit of the words, just as wise physicians who, when giving the fastidious rather bitter drugs to drink, frequently smear the cup with honey.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 152)

October 5

Therefore, He devised for us these harmonious melodies of the psalms, that to all appearances in age or, even those who are youthful in disposition might to all appearances chant, but in reality, become trained in soul.  For, never has any one of the many different persons gone away easily holding in mind either an apostolic or prophetic message, but they do chant the words of the psalms, even in the home, and they spread them around in the market place, and, if perchance, someone becomes exceedingly wrathful, when he begins to be soothed by the psalm, he departs with the wrath of his soul immediately lulled to sleep by means of the melody.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 152)

October 6

A psalm implies serenity of soul; it is the author of peace, which calms bewildering and seething thoughts.  For it softens the wrath of the soul, and what is unbridled it chastens.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg.152)

October 7

A psalm forms friendships, unites those separated, conciliates those at enmity.  Who, indeed, can still consider as an enemy him with whom he has uttered the same prayer to God?
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 152)

October 8

So that psalmody, bringing about choral singing, a bond, as it were, toward unity, and joining the people into a harmonious union of one choir, produce also the greatest of blessings, charity.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 152)

October 9

A psalm is a city of refuge from the demons; a means of inducing help from the angels, a weapon in fears by night, a rest from toils by day, a safeguard for infants, an adornment for those at the height of their vigor, a consolation for the elders, a most fitting ornament for women.  It peoples the solitudes; it rids the market place of excesses; it is the elementary exposition of beginners, the improvement of those advancing, the solid support of the perfect, the voice of the Church.  It brightens the feast days; it creates a sorrow which is in accordance with God.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 153)

October 10

For a psalm calls forth a tear even from a heart of stone.  A psalm is the work of angels, a heavenly institution, spiritual incense.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 153)

October 11

Oh! The wise invention of the teacher, who contrived that while we were singing we should at the same time learn something useful;  by this means, too, the teachings are in a certain way impressed more deeply on our minds.  Even a forceful lesson does not always endure, but what enters the mind with joy and pleasure somehow becomes more firmly impressed upon it.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 153)

October 12

What, in fact, can you not learn from the psalms?  Can you not learn the grandeur of courage?  The exactness of justice?  The nobility of self-control?  The perfection of prudence?  A manner of penance?  The measure of patience?  And whatever other good things you might mention?
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 153)

October 13

Therein is perfect theology, a prediction of the coming of Christ in the flesh, a threat of judgment, a hope of resurrection, a fear of punishment, promises of glory, an unveiling of mysteries; all things, as if in some great public treasury, are stored up in the Book of Psalms.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 153)

October 14

To it, although there are many musical instruments, the prophet adapted the so-called harp, showing, as it seems to me, that the gift from the Spirit resounded in his ears from above.  With the cithara and the lyre the bronze from beneath responds with sound to the plucking, but the harp has the source of its harmonic rhythms from above, in order that we may be careful to seek the things above and not be born down by the sweetness of the melody to the passions of the flesh.  As I believe this, namely, that the words of prophecy are made clear to us in a profound  and wise manner through the structure of the instrument, because those who are orderly and harmonious of soul possess an easy path to the things above.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 153-154)

October 15

“Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps 1:1).  When architects raise up immensely high structures, they put them under foundations proportionate to the height.  Even in the generation of living animals, since the heart is the first organ formed by nature, it receives a structure from nature proportionate to the animal destined to be brought into existence.  Therefore, since the body is built around in proportion to its own beginnings, the differences in the sizes of animals are produced.  Like the foundation in a house, the keel in a ship and the heart in the body of an animal, this brief introduction seems to me to possess that same force in regard to the whole structure of the psalms.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 154)

October 16

When David intended to propose to the combatants of true religion many painful tasks involving unmeasured sweats and toils, he showed first the happy end, that in the hope of the blessings reserved for us we might endure without grief the sufferings of this life.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 154)

October 17

Therefore, the common Director of our lives, the great Teacher, the Spirit of truth, wisely and cleverly set forth the rewards, in order that, rising above the present labors, we might press on in spirit to the enjoyment of eternal blessings.  “Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.” (Ps. 1:1)
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 154)

October 18

What is truly good, therefore, is principally and primarily the most blessed, and that is God.  Whence St. Paul, when about to make mention of Christ, said:  “According to the manifestation of our blessed God and Savior Jesus Christ.”  (Tit. 2:13)
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 155)

October 19

For, truly blessed is Goodness itself toward which all things look, which all things desire, an unchangeable nature, lordly dignity, calm existence; a happy way of life, in which there is no alteration, which no change touches;  a flowing fount, abundant grace, inexhaustible treasure.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 155)

October 20

But, stupid and worldly men, ignorant of the nature of good itself, frequently bless things worth nothing, riches, health, renown; not one of which is in its nature good, not only because they easily change to the opposite, but also because they are unable to make their possessors good.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 155)

October 21

What man is just because of his possessions?  What man is self-controlled because of his health?  On the contrary, in fact, each of these possessions frequently becomes the servant of sin for those who use them badly.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 155)

October 22

Blessed is he, then, who possesses that which is esteemed of the greatest value, who shares in the goods that cannot be taken away.  How shall we recognize him?  “He who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.” (Ps 1:1)
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 155)

October 23

Why, you say, does the prophet single out only man and proclaim him happy?  Does he not exclude women from happiness?  By no means.  For, the virtue of man and woman is the same, since creation is equally honored in both; therefore, there is the same reward for both.  Genesis says, “God created man, in the image of God he created him.  Male and female he created them.”  They whose nature is alike have the same reward.  Why, then, when Scripture made mention of man, did it leave woman unnoticed?  Because it believed that it was sufficient, since their nature is alike, to indicate the whole through the more authorative part.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 155-156)

October 24

“Blessed, therefore, is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.” (Ps. 1:1)  Notice the exactness of the wording, how each simple word is fulfilled.  He who happens to be in this life, is not yet blessed, because of the uncertainty of his departure.  But, he who has fulfilled what has fallen to his share and has closed his life with an end and that cannot be gainsaid, that one is already safely proclaimed blessed.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 156)

October 25

Why, then, are they who are walking in the law of the Lord blessed?  Here Scripture regards as blessed not those who have walked, but those who are still walking, because they who are doing good receive approval, in the work itself; and they who are fleeing evil are to be praised, not if, perhaps, they shun sin once or twice, but if they are able to escape the experience of evil entirely.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 156)

October 26

Why does Scripture proclaim as blessed, not him who is successfully performing a good act, but him who did not commit sin?  Because in that case the horse and the ox and stone will be considered blessed.  For what inanimate object has “stood in the way of sinners?”
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 156)

October 27

“But his will is in the law of the Lord”. (Ps. 1:2)  However, the practice of the divine law falls only upon him who possesses intelligence.  And we say this, that the starting point in acquiring the good is the withdrawal from evil. “Decline from evil, and do good.” (Ps. 36:27)
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 156-157)

October 28

Therefore, leading us on wisely and skillfully to virtue, David made the departure from evil the beginning of good.  If he had put forth for you immediately the final perfections, you would have hesitated at the undertaking, but, as it is, he accustoms you to things more easily gained in order that you may have courage for those which follow.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man, pg. 157)

October 29

I would say that the exercise of piety resembles a ladder, that ladder which once the blessed Jacob saw, of which one part was near the earth and reaching to the ground, the other extended above, even to the very heavens. (Gen. 28:12)  Therefore, those who are being introduced to a life of virtue must place their foot upon the first steps and from there always mount upon the next, until by gradual progress they have ascended to the height attainable by human nature.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man , pg. 157)

October 30

As withdrawal from the earth is the first step on the ladder, so in a manner of life in harmony with God the departure from evil is the first.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man , pg. 157)

October 31

Actually, idleness is in every way easier than any action whatsoever, as for instance, “You should not kill; you should not commit adultery; you should not steal.” (Exodus 20: 13-15)  Each of these demands idleness and inactivity.
(Homily 10 on Psalm 1: A Psalm of the Lot of the Just Man , pg. 157)

Source:  Saint Basil Exegetic Homilies translated by Sr. Agnes Clare Way, CDP; The Catholic University Press of America, Washington DC, 1963.

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