Of Richard's Mystical Experiences and how he attains to the high love of christ which stands in heat, song and sweetness
Frances M.M. Comper
March 16, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003773641-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Topics | Mystical experience |
|---|---|
| Key points | The narrator reports that during prayer a spontaneous inner "symphony of song" arose, turning their thoughts and meditation into melody and entering their prayers and psalmody. They attribute this to an interior sweetness poured out upon them, which impelled them to sing what they had previously only said. |
Abstract
“And while my whole heart and all my desires were engrossed in prayer and heavenly things, suddenly, I know not how, I felt within a symphony of song, and I overheard a most delightful heavenly harmony, which remained in my mind. For straightway, while I meditated, my thoughts were turned into melody of song, and for meditation J, as it were, sang songs. And that music voiced itself even in my prayers and psalmody ; and by reason of the interior sweetness which was outpoured upon me, I was impelled to sing what before I had only said.”