(From the book of Fr. Eusebius Vittis "THE MERCY OF THE HEART")

I am of the opinion that, according to the opinion of Athanasius the Great, the interpreter of the book of Psalms, that within these words of the holy book, the entire life of men has been measured and contained, and the dispositions of the soul and the movements of their thoughts and ideas, and that nothing more than these is found in human life. That is, whether there is a need for repentance and confession, or some sorrow or temptation has occurred, or someone has been persecuted or escaped from some imposition, or sorrow has overtaken him, or he sees himself progressing and the enemy being rendered useless, or he wants to praise and thank the Lord, for all this he is taught by the Psalms.  Let him therefore choose what is said to them for each case mentioned and say them, offering them to the Lord as if they had been written for himself, forming corresponding feelings within himself.

 With these words, as the apostle Paul said, "the saints conquered kingdoms, performed works of virtue, achieved the fulfillment of God's promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched and rendered powerless the power of fire, escaped the danger of slaughter, were healed of diseases, proved themselves strong in wars, put foreign armies to flight, and took back wives from the dead who had risen (Heb. 11:33-35).

   So whoever now speaks these words, let him have the conviction that through the Psalms God will quickly hear the supplications of those who pray.

(From the book of Fr. Eusebius, "THE MERCY OF THE HEART")