Orthodox Parables and Stories: The Psalms

Once, the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh entered into church at night to sing the Matins service. When he began to chant the doors of the church suddenly opened and the devil entered with a multitude of his demonic hosts, rather as a thief and brigand, as the Lord says in the Gospel of St. John. The scene was terrifying, as if hell itself appeared before the Venerable Sergius. The devils rushed at the blessed one and all of them gnashed their teeth w!ishing to kill him, crying out: "Flee! If you don't flee now from here, we shall tear you to pieces and you shall die in our hands." It is the devil's custom to boast and to threaten that he can devastate the eart and dry the sea, whereas he has no power even over the swine, as the Gospels teach us (Matt. 8:30, Mark 5:10, Luke 8:32).

However, the Venerable Sergius had armed himelf with prayer and began to recite psalm 83, facing the altar: O God, who shall be compared to Thee? be not silent neither be still, O God! For behold, Thine enemies have made a noise. And again, praying the psalm 67, he cried out: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Him flee from before His face! As smoke vanishes, let them vanish, as wax melts before the fire, so let the sinners perish at the presence of God, but let the righteous be glad. Thus the Venerable Sergius crossed himself in the Name of the Holy Trinity, asked for the protection of the Mother of God, and defeated the devil as David defeated Goliath. The devil with his demons all vanished at once.