Augustine, singing, praying...
  • aquinasadmirer
    Posts: 102
    Hello.

    I've frequently seen the quote attributed to Augustine: "He who sings, prays twice." and somehow remember being told that this is not quite accurate. (Maybe it was on Fr. Z's blog..I can't remember)

    Somehow, I remember it more accurately translated as "He who sings scripture, prays twice" or something to that effect.

    Does anyone know the authentic/literal/slavish translation of Augustine's quote?

    I'm curious, because--using a pedantic example--singing "On top of Old Smokey" is singing, but it's not prayer.

    Thanks in advance,

    -M
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 864
    The best I have been discover is that this is an anonymous proverb, originally bene cantat bis orat, "the one who sings well prays twice."

    Wikipedia says:
    From St. Augustine of Hippo's commentary on Psalm 74, 1: Qui enim cantat laudem, non solum laudat, sed etiam hilariter laudat ("He who sings praises, not only praises, but praises joyfully").

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_phrases_(Q)
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,483
    I have also heard it as: He who sings well prays twice.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Clearly this refers only to Tibetan throat singing techniques for those who cultivate overtones against the fundamental growl!
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,978
    Augustine? That heretic again? Sheesh!
  • Carl DCarl D
    Posts: 992
    He who doesn't sing well, prays ... for forgiveness.
    Thanked by 1CharlesW
  • G
    Posts: 1,400
    Oh, that St Augustine...
    He also said this.
    (Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
    Thanked by 1bonniebede
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