The Prophet, in person of the Church, lamenteth the cruelty of persecutors (both in the old and new testament) 5. prayeth for release, with just revenge against God's enemies, that blaspheme his name, 3. and promiseth to be grateful in divine praises.The Prophet, in person of the Church, lamenteth the crueltie of persecutors (both in the old and new testament) 5. prayeth for release, with iust reuenge against Gods enimies, that blaspheme his name, 3. and promiseth to be gratful in diuine praises.✦

A psalm to Asaph. O God the Gentiles are come into thine inheritance, they have polluted thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a watch tower of fruits.A psalm to Asaph. O God the Gentiles are come into thine inheritance, they have polluted thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a watch tower of fruits.A Psalme ^ato Asaph. O God ^bthe Gentiles are come into thine inheritance, they ^chaue polluted thy holie temple: they haue made Ierusalem ^das a watch toure of fruits.Psalmus Asaph. Deus, venerunt gentes in hæreditatem tuam ; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum ; posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.

1609 marginAsaph. to be sung by Asaph and his company, in the behalf of people united in faith.a to be sungue by Asaph and his companie, in the behalfe of people vnited in faith.b Cruel infidels have invaded those things, which pertain to thy Church: c even possessed and profaned the holy temple of the Jews, and Churches of Catholique Christians. Fulfilled by Antiochus, in Jerusalem; by the Vandals in Afrike, by Protestants, and Puritans, in divers parts of Europe, and will be more vniuersally by Antichrist in all Christendom. d In stead of great and fair Churches, Gods servants are fane to use mean houses, yea poor cotages.b Cruel infidels haue inuaded those thinges, which perteyne to thy Church: c euen possessed and prophaned the holie temple of the Iewes, and Churches of Catholique Christians. Fulfilled by Antiochus, in Ierusalem; by the Vandals in Afrike, by Protestants, and Puritanes, in diuers partes of Europe, and wil be more vniuersally by Antichrist in al Christendom. d In steed of great and faire Churches, Gods seruantes are fane to vse meane houses, yea poore cotages.

1609 marginHead note: The Church suffereth very great persecutions. the 6. key.The Church suffereth verie great persecutions. the 6. key.Head note: The Church suffereth very great persecutions. the 6. key. · Asaph. to be sung by Asaph and his company, in the behalf of people united in faith. · Gentiles. Cruel infidels have invaded those things, which pertain to thy Church: · temple. even possessed and profaned the holy temple of the Jews, and Churches of Catholic Christians. Fulfilled by Antiochus, in Jerusalem; by the Vandals in Afric, by Protestants, and Puritans, in divers parts of Europe, and will be more universally by Antichrist in all Christendom. · watch. In stead of great and fair Churches, God's servants are fain to use mean houses, yea poor cottages.The Church suffereth verie great persecutions. the 6. key. · a to be sungue by Asaph and his companie, in the behalfe of people vnited in faith. · b Cruel infidels haue inuaded those thinges, which perteyne to thy Church: c euen possessed and prophaned the holie temple of the Iewes, and Churches of Catholique Christians. Fulfilled by Antiochus, in Ierusalem; by the Vandals in Afrike, by Protestants, and Puritanes, in diuers partes of Europe, and wil be more vniuersally by Antichrist in al Christendom. d In steed of great and faire Churches, Gods seruantes are fane to vse meane houses, yea poore cotages.

2They have made the carcases of thy servants, for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the land.They have made the carcases of thy servants, for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the land.They haue made ^ethe carcases of thy seruants, meats for the foules of the aire: the flesh of thy sainctes for the beastes of the land.Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus cæli ; carnes sanctorum tuorum bestiis terræ.

3They have poured out their blood as water round about Jerusalem: and there was none to bury them.They have poured out their blood as water round about Jerusalem: and there was none to bury them.They haue poured out their bloude as water round about Ierusalem: and there was none to burie them.Effuderunt sanguinem eorum tamquam aquam in circuitu Jerusalem, et non erat qui sepeliret.

4We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and mock to them that are round about us.We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and mock to them that are round about us.We are ^fbecome a reproch to our neighboures: a scorne and mocke to them that are round about vs.Facti sumus opprobrium vicinis nostris ; subsannatio et illusio his qui in circuitu nostro sunt.

5How long O Lord wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled as a fire?How long O Lord wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled as a fire?How long ô Lord wilt thou ^gbe angrie for euer: shal thy zele be kindled as a fire?Usquequo, Domine, irasceris in finem ? accendetur velut ignis zelus tuus ?

6Pour out thy wrath upon the Gentiles, that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms, that have not invocated thy name.Pour out thy wrath upon the Gentiles, that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms, that have not invocated thy name.Poure out thy wrath vpon the Gentiles, ^hthat haue not knowne thee: & vpon the kingdomes, that haue not inuocated thy name.Effunde iram tuam in gentes quæ te non noverunt, et in regna quæ nomen tuum non invocaverunt :

7Because they have devoured Jacob: and his place they have made desolate.Because they have devoured Jacob: and his place they have made desolate.Because they haue deuoured Iacob: and his place they haue made desolate.quia comederunt Jacob, et locum ejus desolaverunt.

8Remember not our old iniquities, let thy mercies quickly us: because we are become exceeding poor.Remember not our old iniquities, let thy mercies quickly us: because we are become exceeding poor.ⁱRemember not our old iniquities, let thy mercies quickly preuent vs: because we are become exceding ^kpoore.Ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum ; cito anticipent nos misericordiæ tuæ, quia pauperes facti sumus nimis.

9Help us O God our Saviour: and for the glory of thy name O Lord deliver us: and be propitious to our sins for thy name's sake.Help us O God our Saviour: and for the glory of thy name O Lord deliver us: and be propitious to our sins for thy name's sake.Help vs ô God our sauiour: and for the glorie of thy name ô Lord deliuer vs: and be propicious to our sinnes for thy names sake.Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster, et propter gloriam nominis tui, Domine, libera nos : et propitius esto peccatis nostris, propter nomen tuum.

10Lest they say perhaps amongst the Gentiles: where is their God? and be notified in the nations before our eyes. The revenge of the blood of thy servants, which been shed:Lest they say perhaps amongst the Gentiles: where is their God? and be notified in the nations before our eyes. The revenge of the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:Lest they say perhaps amongst the Gentiles: ^lwhere is their God? and ^mbe notified in the nations before our eies. The reuenge of the bloud of thy seruants, which hath benne shed:Ne forte dicant in gentibus : Ubi est Deus eorum ? et innotescat in nationibus coram oculis nostris ultio sanguinis servorum tuorum qui effusus est.

11let the groaning of the fettered enter in thy sight. According to the greatness of thine arm, possess thou the children of them that are put to death.let the groaning of the fettered enter in thy sight. According to the greatness of thine arm, possess thou the children of them that are put to death.let the groning of the fettered enter in thy sight. According to the greatnes of thine arme, possesse thou ⁿthe children of them that are put to death.Introëat in conspectu tuo gemitus compeditorum ; secundum magnitudinem brachii tui posside filios mortificatorum :

12And to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: their reproach they have reproached thee O Lord.And to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: their reproach wherewith they have reproached thee O Lord.And ^otender to our neighboures seuenfold in their bosome: their reproch wherewith they haue reproched thee ô Lord.et redde vicinis nostris septuplum in sinu eorum ; improperium ipsorum quod exprobraverunt tibi, Domine.

13But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will confess to thee for ever: Unto generation and generation we will show forth thy praise.But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will confess to thee for ever: Unto generation and generation we will show forth thy praise.But ^pwe thy people, and the sheepe of thy pasture, wil confesse to thee for euer: Vnto generation and generation we wil shew forth thy praise.Nos autem populus tuus, et oves pascuæ tuæ, confitebimur tibi in sæculum ; in generationem et generationem annuntiabimus laudem tuam.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Also available: Plantin Louvain (Latin).

St. Robert Bellarmine’s commentary on Psalms 78 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 78 of 150