Monastery of the Holy Cross

The end of the book of Psalms is the prayer that consists of an elevation of the spirit toward God.  John Damascene says of this prayer that it “is an elevation of the intelligence to God.”

One encounters this in one Psalm: “Let my prayer arise before you like incense; the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.” [Ps. 140: 2]  Now the soul raises itself to God in four ways.

First, in order to admire the grandeur of His power: “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?” [Is 40: 26]  And: “How wonderful are your works, O Lord!” [Ps. 103: 24]  This is the elevation of faith.

Then the soul raises itself to contemplate the excellence of eternal beatitude: “Surely you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.  You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passes away.  And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.” [Job 11: 15-17]  This is the elevation of hope.

Next, the soul raises itself to adhere to divine gifts and holiness: “Rouse yourself, stand up, Jerusalem!” [Is 51: 17]  And this is the elevation of charity.

Finally, the soul raises itself to imitate divine justice in its action: “Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.” [Lam. 3: 41]  This is the elevation of justice.

And all of this, which is the goal of Holy Scripture, can be found in the Psalms.

(Commentary on the Psalms, Prologue)