Cleanthes Prayer Comparison

The prayer that I chose to compare with Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus was Psalm 4.  In these two prayers, I found both similarities and differences throughout.  The main reason that I chose Psalm 4 was because its structure was similar yet different to that of Cleanthes.  In class, we discussed that the structure of many prayers contains three parts, the Invocation, the Sanction, and the Entreaty.  Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus does contain all of these parts and, in my opinion, Psalm 4 also contains these three parts, but in a different order. 

In the Invocation of Psalm 4, David is calling to the Lord to hear his prayer.  He calls out, “Thou hast given me room when I was in distress”, possibly implying that he hasn’t talked to the Lord in awhile.  But, he wants the Lord to be merciful and listen to his problems.  When comparing this to the Invocation of Hymn to Zeus, there are some differences in the content.  In Hymn to Zeus, Cleanthes is calling upon his Lord, Zeus, but in a different way.  Rather than requesting for him to listen, like David did, Cleanthes expresses who Zeus is and what he means to him.  He then states, “It is right for mortals to call upon you”,  implying that since he is so powerful, the people should pray to him.

From the Invocation, the structure of the two prayers really starts to differ.  Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus follows the structure of the Sanction placed after the Invocation, followed by the Entreaty at the end.  Psalm 4, on the other hand, takes a different route.  The line following the Invocation seems to be part of the Entreaty, which will be discussed in the next paragraph.  The sanction starts at line three with David beginning to describe what the Lord does for him and the other people, similar to how Cleanthes explains his feelings towards Zeus in the Sanction of the other prayer.  David states that the Lord is always there to listen when they are ready to pray and talk to him.  He says that when the people are angry they should not commit sin towards him, instead they shall talk to the Lord and put their trust in Him.  David also admits that his heart is much more filled with happiness from the lord rather than with the abundance of material goods from the people. 

The Entreaty in Psalm 4 is also different from that in Hymn to Zeus.  Cleanthes’ Entreaty was all one section together and was placed at the end of the prayer.  But, in Psalm 4, it starts in the second line when David is asking the Lord why the people are so vindictive towards his own honor and how long they will have these feelings.  The end of the entreaty comes in the last line where David pleads, “O LORD, makest me dwell in safety”, asking the Lord to protect him and keep him from harm.

Other than the differences in the structure of the two prayers, there are also a few other differences.  One obvious difference is the fact that David and Cleanthes are praying to two different people; Cleanthes to Zeus and David to the Lord.  Although they each believe in a different God, the way that they pray to their God is somewhat comparable.   One similarity is that they are asking for something from their God, but at the same time they are praising him with his almighty power.  One major difference in their prayers happens in the Entreaties where David is asking for something for himself, while Cleanthes is asking for something for all humankind.

Although I am not positive that my understanding of these two prayers is correct, this is what I presume the prayers are saying.

Psalm 4

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my right! Thou hast given me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?[Selah]

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.[Selah]

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O LORD!”

Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O LORD, makest me dwell I safety.

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This work has been submitted by Lindsay McCann for Issues and Ideas 402 at Monmouth College.