I.
David, struck down by sickness, asks pardon of God, and beseeches him to heal the wounds of his soul.
Psalm 6
O Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath.
Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me: * neque in ira tua corripias me.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
Miserere mei, Domine, quoniam infirmus sum: * sana me Domine, quoniam conturbata sunt ossa mea.
And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, O Lord, how long?
Et anima mea turbata est valde: * sed tu Domine usquequo?
Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me, for thy mercy’s sake.
Convertere, Domine, et eripe animam meam: * salvum me fac propter misericordiam tuam.
For there is no one in death that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?
Quoniam non est in morte qui memor sit tui: * in inferno autem quis confitebitur tibi?
I have labored in my groanings, every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears.
Laboravi in gemitu meo, lavabo per singulas noctes lectum meum: * lacrymis meis stratum meum rigabo.
My eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old among all mine enemies.
Turbatus est a furore oculus meus: * inveteravi inter omnes inimicos meos.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
Discedite a me, omnes qui operamini iniquitatem: * quoniam exaudivit Dominus vocem fletus mei.
The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.
Exaudivit Dominus deprecationem meam: * Dominus orationem meam suscepit.
Let all mine enemies be ashamed and be very much troubled: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily.
Erubescant et conturbentur vehementer omnes inimici mei: * convertantur et erubescant valde velociter.
II.
David experiences the happiness felt by a soul whose sins have been forgiven her by God; he expresses his feelings, by comparing himself to a sick man, who was at the point of death, and is restored to health.
Psalm 31
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven: and whose sins are covered.
Beati, quorum remissæ sunt iniquitates: * et quorum tecta sunt peccata.
Blessed is the man, to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin: and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Beatus vir, cui non imputavit Dominus peccatum: * nec est in spiritu ejus dolus.
Because I was silent, my bones grew old: whilst I cried out all the day long.
Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa mea: * dum clamarem tota die.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.
Quoniam die ac nocte gravata est super me manus tua: * conversus sum in ærumna mea, dum configitur spina.
I have acknowledged my sin to thee: and my injustice I have not concealed.
Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci: * et injustitiam meam non abscondi.
I said, I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
Dixi: Confitebor adversum me injustitiam meam Domino: * et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei.
For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee, in a seasonable time.
Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus: * in tempore opportuno.
And yet, in a flood of many waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
Verumtamen in diluvio aquarum multarum: * ad eum non approximabunt.
Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy! deliver me from them that surround me.
Tu es refugium meum a tribulatione, quæ circumdedit me: * exsultatio mea, erue me a circumdantibus me.
Thou hast said to me: “I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way in which thou shalt go: I will fix mine eyes upon thee.”
Intellectum tibi dabo, et instruam te in via hac qua gradieris: * firmabo super te oculos meos.
“Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding.
Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus: * quibus non est intellectus.
“With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.”
In camo et fræno maxillas eorum constringe: * qui non approximant ad te.
Many are the scourges of the sinner: but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
Multa flagella peccatoris: * sperantem autem in Domino misericordia circumdabit.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye just: and glory, all ye right of heart.
Lætamini in Domino, et exsultate justi: * et gloriamini omnes recti corde.
III.
The Royal Prophet feels the consequences left in him by his past sins, and he begs God to have pity on him.
Psalm 37
Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation: nor chastise me in thy wrath.
Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me: * neque in ira tua corripias me.
For thine arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me.
Quoniam sagittæ tuæ infixæ sunt mihi: * et confirmasti super me manum tuam.
There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.
Non est sanitas in carne mea a facie iræ tuæ: * non est pax ossibus meis a facie peccatorum meorum.
For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden, are become heavy upon me.
Quoniam iniquitates meæ supergressæ sunt caput meum: * et sicut onus grave gravatæ sunt super me.
My sores are putrefied and corrupted, because of my foolishness.
Putruerunt, et corruptæ sunt cicatrices meæ, * a facie insipientiæ meæ.
I am become miserable and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long.
Miser factus sum, et curvatus sum usque in finem: * tota die contristatus ingrediebar.
For my loins are filled with illusions: and there is no health in my flesh.
Quoniam lumbi mei impleti sunt illusionibus: * et non est sanitas in carne mea.
I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart.
Afflictus sum et humiliatus sum nimis: * rugiebam a gemitu cordis mei.
O Lord, all my desire is before thee: and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
Domine, ante te omne desiderium meum: * et gemitus meus a te non est absconditus.
My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me: and the light of mine eyes itself is not with me.
Cor meum conturbatum est, dereliquit me virtus mea: * et lumen oculorum meorum, et ipsum non est mecum.
My friends and my neighbors have drawn near, and stood against me.
Amici mei et proximi mei: * adversum me appropinquaverunt et steterunt.
And they that were near me, stood afar off: and they that sought my soul, used violence.
Et qui juxta me erant, de longe steterunt: * et vim faciebant qui quærebant animam meam.
And they that sought evils to me, spoke vain things: and studied deceits all the day long.
Et qui inquirebant mala mihi, locuti sunt vanitates: * et dolos tota die meditabantur.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
Ego autem tanquam surdus non audiebam: * et sicut mutus non aperiens os suum.
And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
Et factus sum sicut homo non audiens: * et non habens in ore suo redargutiones.
For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
Quoniam in te, Domine, speravi: * tu exaudies me, Domine Deus meus.
For I said: Lest at any time mine enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
Quia dixi: Nequando supergaudeant mihi inimici mei: * et dum commoventur pedes mei, super me magna locuti sunt.
For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.
Quoniam ego in flagella paratus sum: * et dolor meus in conspectu meo semper.
For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think for my sin.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam annuntiabo: * et cogitabo pro peccato meo.
But mine enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully, are multiplied.
Inimici autem mei vivunt, et confirmati sunt super me: * et multiplicati sunt qui oderunt me inique.
They that render evil for good, have detracted me: because I followed goodness.
Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis, detrahebant mihi: * quoniam sequebar bonitatem.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me.
Ne derelinquas me, Domine Deus meus: * ne discesseris a me.
Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.
Intende in adjutorium meum: * Domine, Deus salutis meæ.
IV.
The grief and prayer of David, when the Prophet Nathan was sent, by God, to reproach him for the twofold crime he had committed by his sin with Bethsabee, are the subject of this Psalm.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
Miserere mei Deus: * secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquity.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum: * dele iniquitatem meam.
Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: * et a peccato meo munda me.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: * et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged.
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: * ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.
For behold! I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum: * et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
For behold! thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: * incerta et occulta sapientiæ tuæ manifestasti mihi.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor: * lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled, shall rejoice.
Auditui meo dabis gaudium et lætitiam: * et exsultabunt ossa humiliata.
Turn away thy face from my sins: and blot out all my iniquities.
Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: * et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cor mundum crea in me Deus: * et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Cast me not away from thy face: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Ne projicias me a facie tua: * et Spiritum Sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation: and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
Redde mihi lætitiam salutaris tui: * et Spiritu principali confirma me.
I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
Docebo iniquos vias tuas: * et impii ad te convertentur.
Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation! and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meæ: * et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam.
O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
Domine, labia mea aperies: * et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.
For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt-offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: * holocaustis non delectaberis.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: * cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.
Deal favorably, O Lord, in thy good-will with Sion: that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion: * ut ædificentur muri Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations, and whole burnt-offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thine altar.
Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiæ, oblationes, et holocausta: * tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.
V.
David laments over the captivity of God’s people in Babylon, and prays for the restoration of Sion. His words are appropriate for the soul, who grieves over her sins, and implores to be regenerated by grace.
Psalm 101
Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come unto thee.
Domine, exaudi orationem meam: * et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thine ear to me.
Non avertas faciem tuam a me: * in quacumque die tribulor, inclina ad me aurem tuam.
In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily.
In quacumque die invocavero te: * velociter exaudi me.
For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire.
Quia defecerunt sicut fumus dies mei: * et ossa mea sicut cremium aruerunt.
I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread.
Percussus sum ut fœnum, et aruit cor meum: * quia oblitus sum comedere panem meum.
Through the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
A voce gemitus mei: * adhæsit os meum carni meæ.
I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night-raven in the house.
Similis factus sum pelicano solitudinis: * factus sum sicut nycticorax in domicilio.
I have watched, and am become as a sparrow all alone on the house top.
Vigilavi: * et factus sum sicut passer solitarius in tecto.
All the day long mine enemies reproached me: and they that praised me, did swear against me.
Tota die exprobrabant mihi inimici mei: * et qui laudabant me adversum me jurabant.
For I did eat ashes like bread: and mingled my drink with weeping.
Quia cinerem tanquam panem manducabam: * et potum meum cum fletu miscebam.
Because of thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up, thou hast thrown me down.
A facie iræ et indignationis tuæ: * quia elevans allisisti me.
My days have declined like a shadow: and I am withered like grass.
Dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt: * et ego sicut fœnum arui.
But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and thy memorial to all generations.
Tu autem, Domine, in æternum permanes: * et memoriale tuum in generationem et generationem.
Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come.
Tu exsurgens misereberis Sion: * quia tempus miserendi ejus, quia venit tempus.
For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants: and they shall have pity on the earth thereof.
Quoniam placuerunt servis tuis lapides ejus: * et terræ ejus miserebuntur.
And the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord: and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
Et timebunt gentes nomen tuum, Domine: * et omnes reges terræ gloriam tuam.
For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.
Quia ædificavit Dominus Sion: * et videbitur in gloria sua.
He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not despised their petition.
Respexit in orationem humilium: * et non sprevit precem eorum.
Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people that shall be created, shall praise the Lord.
Scribantur hæc in generatione altera: * et populus qui creabitur laudabit Dominum.
Because he hath looked forth from his high Sanctuary: from heaven, the Lord hath looked upon the earth.
Quia prospexit de excelso Sancto suo: * Dominus de cœlo in terram aspexit.
That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might release the children of the slain.
Ut audiret gemitus compeditorum: * ut solveret filios interemptorum.
That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem.
Ut annuntient in Sion Nomen Domini: * et laudem ejus in Jerusalem.
When the people assembled together, and kings to serve the Lord.
In conveniendo populos in unum: * et reges, ut serviant Domino.
He, (the Royal Prophet,) longing to see these glorious things, answered him, though still in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days;
Respondit ei in via virtutis suæ: * paucitatem dierum meorum nuntia mihi.
Call me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are unto generation and generation.
Ne revoces me in dimidio dierum meorum: * in generationem et generationem anni tui.
In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
Initio tu, Domine, terram fundasti: * et opera manuum tuarum sunt cœli.
They shall perish, but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old, like a garment.
Ipsi peribunt, tu autem permanes: * et omnes sicut vestimentum veterascent.
And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art always the self-same, and thy years shall not fail.
Et sicut opertorium mutabis eos, et mutabuntur: * tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non deficient.
The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be directed for ever.
Filii servorum tuorum habitabunt: * et semen eorum in sæculum dirigetur.
VI.
The sinner seeing the depths of the abyss, into which sin has led him, can hope for help from none but his God, whose mercy is infinite.
Psalm 129
Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: * Domine, exaudi vocem meam.
Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Fiant aures tuæ intendentes: * in vocem deprecationis meæ.
If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it?
Si iniquitates observaveris Domine: * Domine, quis sustinebit?
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.
Quia apud te propitiatio est: * et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
My soul hath relied on his word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus: * speravit anima mea in Domino.
From the morning-watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: * speret Israël in Domino.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him, plentiful redemption.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia: * et copiosa apud eum redemptio.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Et ipse redimet Israël: * ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.
VII.
David, who had taken refuge in a cave, sees himself surrounded by the army of Saul; he beseeches God not to deal with him according to the rigor of his just judgments, but to show him a way, whereby to escape the danger that threatens him. The sinner implores God to deliver him from the sins and temptations which beset him.
Psalm 142
Hear, O Lord, my prayer; give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
Domine, exaudi orationem meam, auribus percipe obsecrationem meam in veritate tua: * exaudi me in tua justitia.
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
Et non intres in judicium cum servo tuo: * quia non justificabitur in conspectu tuo omnis vivens.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth.
Quia persecutus est inimicus animam meam: * humiliavit in terra vitam meam.
He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been dead of old; and my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
Collocavit me in obscuris sicut mortuos sæculi: et anxiatus est super me spiritus meus: * in me turbatum est cor meum.
I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
Memor fui dierum antiquorum, meditatus sum in omnibus operibus tuis: * in factis manuum tuarum meditabar.
I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water, unto thee.
Expandi manus meas ad te: * anima mea sicut terra sine aqua tibi.
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away.
Velociter exaudi me, Domine: * defecit spiritus meus.
Turn not away thy face from me: lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Non avertas faciem tuam a me: * et similis ero descendentibus in lacum.
Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning: for in thee have I hoped.
Auditam fac mihi mane misericordiam tuam: * quia in te speravi.
Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
Notam fac mihi viam in qua ambulem: * quia ad te levavi animam meam.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.
Eripe me de inimicis meis, Domine, ad te confugi: * doce me facere voluntatem tuam, quia Deus meus es tu.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me into the right land: for thy Name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice.
Spiritus tuus bonus deducet me in terram rectam: * propter Nomen tuum, Domine, vivificabis me in æquitate tua.
Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble: and in thy mercy, thou wilt destroy mine enemies.
Educes de tribulatione animam meam: * et in misericordia tua disperdes inimicos meos.
And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
Et perdes omnes qui tribulant animam meam: * quoniam ego servus tuus sum.
Ant. Remember not, O Lord, our offenses, nor those of our parents, and take not revenge on our sins.
Ant. Ne reminiscaris, Domine, delicta nostra, vel parentum nostrorum, neque vindictam sumas de peccatis nostris.