New Page: The Psalter of Sophia: A Mystery of Mysteries
During the “Story of Pistis Sophia” in the Books of the Saviour (Pistis Sophia) Book 1, Chap. 30 - Book 2, Chap. 82, Jesus describes for the disciples the fall of Pistis Sophia into the realms of darkness, and her redemption therefrom. During the exposition, the character of Pistis Sophia, from whom the darkness has resulted (yet all due to the Will of the Limitless Light), delivers Thirteen Repentances to the Light before she is rescued from the abyss. Following her rescue, she delivers Ten Songs of Praise, or Odes to the Light, as well as a single Rebuke to the Archon who rules the realm of Darkness.
According to the author of these texts, the 13 Repentances, 10 Odes and Rebuke are reflected in traditional canonical scripture, specifically the Book of Psalms and the Odes of Solomon. During the exchange as detailed in the text, the disciples present interpret the Repentances, Odes and Rebuke based on the specific scriptural references which they reflect.
As this is the case, and as it is generally understood that the Books of the Saviour are a kind of “Instruction Manual” for initiates into the sect which utilized this text, and it strikes the reader that the compiler of these books may have intended the Repentances, Odes and Rebuke as a Psalter for personal and liturgical use by the practicing Gnostic. The character of Sophia herself indicates that this is the case in one of the Repentances, in which she askis the Light, “May my song to the Light please you as a perfect mystery which leads to the gates of the Light, which they who repent will sing so the light will purify them.”
As most Books of Common Prayer contain the Psalter, which consists of the Book of Psalms, so have we isolated and lightly redacted the Psalms of Pistis Sophia from the Books of the Saviour, G.R.S. Mead translation, as a possible “Psalter” for use by modern Gnostics.
Donald Donato said,
Reaction soon to come. (2-3 days) I’m fighting off some Protestant Balrogs, which delay my response to this incredible project. If I had a penny for each time I write “Sola Scriptura”, I’d be bloody solvent :)