In te, Domine, speravi
Versus 1
In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum.
In you, O Lord, I have trusted; let me never be confounded.
Word Notes:
- spero – sperare – speravi – speratum (1) = to hope, trust.
- confundo – confundere – confudi – confusum (3) = to confound, put to shame.
- aeternum, -a – adj. (2-1-2) = eternal; in aeternum = forever.
Versus 2
In justitia tua libera me et eripe me; inclina ad me auriculam tuam et salvum me fac.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.
Word Notes:
- libero – liberare – liberavi – liberatum (1) = to set free.
- eripio – eripere – eripui – ereptum (3 mix) = to snatch away, rescue.
- inclino – inclinare – inclinavi – inclinatum (1) = to bend toward.
- auricula, -ae f. (1) = ear, little ear.
Versus 3
Esto mihi in Deum protectorem, et in locum munitum ut salvum me facias, quoniam firmamentum meum et refugium meum es tu.
Be to me a protecting God, a fortified place to save me; for you are my stronghold and my refuge.
Word Notes:
- protector, -oris m. (3) = protector, defender.
- munitus, -a, -um (adj.) = fortified.
- firmamentum, -i n. (2) = support, strength.
- refugium, -i n. (2) = refuge, place of escape.
Versus 4
Deus meus, eripe me de manu peccatoris, et de manu contra legem agentis et iniqui.
My God, deliver me from the hand of the sinner, from the hand of the law-breaker and the unjust.
Word Notes:
- peccator, -oris m. (3) = sinner.
- iniquus, -a, -um (adj.) = unjust, wicked.
- ago – agere – egi – actum (3) = to act, do; contra legem agere = to act against the law.
Versus 5
Quoniam tu es patientia mea, Domine; Domine, spes mea a juventute mea.
For you are my patience, O Lord; my hope from my youth.
Word Notes:
- patientia, -ae f. (1) = endurance, patience.
- spes, spei f. (5) = hope.
- juventus, -tutis f. (3) = youth, early life.
Versus 6
In te confirmatus sum ex utero; de ventre matris meae tu es protector meus: in te cantatio mea semper.
From the womb I have been upheld by you; from my mother’s belly you are my protector: my song is always of you.
Word Notes:
- confirmo – confirmare – confirmavi – confirmatum (1) = to strengthen.
- venter, ventris m. (3) = belly, womb.
- cantatio, -onis f. (3) = song, chant.
Versus 7–8
Tamquam prodigium factus sum multis; et tu adjutor fortis. Repleatur os meum laude, ut cantem gloriam tuam tota die magnitudinem tuam.
I have become a wonder to many, but you are my strong helper. Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing your glory all the day long.
Word Notes:
- prodigium, -i n. (2) = wonder, marvel.
- adjutor, -oris m. (3) = helper.
- magnitudo, -inis f. (3) = greatness.
Versus 9–12
Ne projicias me in tempore senectutis; cum defecerit virtus mea, ne derelinquas me. Dixerunt enim inimici mei mihi: Deus dereliquit eum; persequimini et comprehendite eum, quia non est qui eripiat. Deus, ne elongeris a me; Deus meus, in auxilium meum respice.
Cast me not away in the time of old age; when my strength fails, do not forsake me. For my enemies say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver.” O God, be not far from me; my God, look to my help.
Word Notes:
- senectus, -tutis f. (3) = old age.
- virtus, -tutis f. (3) = strength, virtue.
- derelinquo – derelinquere – dereliqui – derelictum (3) = to abandon.
- persequor – persequi – persecutus sum (dep. 3) = to pursue.
- comprehendo – comprehendere – comprehendi – comprehensum (3) = to seize, grasp.
Versus 13–16
Confundantur et deficiant detractores animae meae; operiantur confusione et pudore qui quaerunt mala mihi. Ego autem semper sperabo et adjiciam super omnem laudem tuae gloriae. Os meum annuntiabit justitiam tuam, tota die salutare tuum.
Let those who slander my soul be confounded and fail; let them be covered with shame and disgrace who seek my harm. But I will hope continually and add to all your praise. My mouth shall declare your righteousness and your salvation all the day.
Word Notes:
- detractor, -oris m. (3) = slanderer.
- confusio, -onis f. (3) = shame, confusion.
- salutare, -is n. (3) = salvation, saving help.
Versus 17–21
Deus, docuisti me a juventute mea; et usque nunc annuntiabo mirabilia tua. Et usque in senectam et senium, Deus, ne derelinquas me, donec annuntiem brachium tuum generationi omni venturae. Magnificasti me, Deus, usque ad magnitudinem; et conversus consolatus es me.
O God, you have taught me from my youth; and until now I proclaim your wonders. Even to old age and grey hairs, do not forsake me, until I declare your strength to every coming generation. You have made me great, O God, and then turned to comfort me.
Word Notes:
- doceo – docere – docui – doctum (2) = to teach.
- senium, -i n. (2) = old age, infirmity.
- brachium, -i n. (2) = arm, strength.
- consolor – consolari – consolatus sum (dep. 1) = to comfort.
Versus 22–24
Nam etiam ego confitebor tibi in vasis psalmi, veritatem tuam, Deus meus: psallam tibi in cithara, Sancte Israel. Exsultabunt labia mea, cum cantavero tibi, et anima mea, quam redemisti. Sed et lingua mea tota die meditabitur justitiam tuam, cum confusi et reveriti fuerint qui quaerunt mala mihi.
I will praise you also with the psaltery, O my God, your truth; I will sing to you on the harp, Holy One of Israel. My lips shall rejoice when I sing to you, and my soul which you have redeemed. And my tongue shall meditate on your righteousness all day, when they who seek my harm are put to shame and confounded.
Word Notes:
- vas, vasis n. (3) = instrument, vessel.
- cithara, -ae f. (1) = lyre, harp.
- meditor – meditari – meditatus sum (dep. 1) = to meditate, ponder.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 71 is a prayer of lifelong trust, composed in old age yet rich in youthful gratitude. The psalmist looks back on a life protected “from the womb,” recalling God’s constancy amid weakness and abandonment. The structure moves from personal plea (vv. 1–8) through the shadow of enemies (vv. 9–13) to renewed confidence (vv. 14–24). It is both a psalm of perseverance and of testimony: the faith of experience replacing the zeal of youth.
In moral psychology it represents the maturity of faith—endurance after disillusionment. Its closing verses show that praise itself becomes a kind of defence: where trust remains, despair cannot root.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation Practice
Translate into Latin:
- O Lord, deliver me from my enemies.
- In you I have hoped from my youth.
- My mouth shall tell your righteousness all the day.
- Be not far from me, O God.
Key:
- Domine, eripe me de inimicis meis.
- In te speravi a juventute mea.
- Os meum annuntiabit justitiam tuam tota die.
- Deus, ne elongeris a me.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Conjugate the following in the present, imperfect, and future indicative:
- spero – sperare – speravi – speratum (hope)
- libero – liberare – liberavi – liberatum (free)
- doceo – docere – docui – doctum (teach)
- eripio – eripere – eripui – ereptum (rescue)
- meditor – meditari – meditatus sum (meditate, deponent)
Model Answers (Key):
- spero – sperabam – sperabo
- libero – liberabam – liberabo
- doceo – docebam – docebo
- eripio – eripiebam – eripiam
- meditor – meditabar – meditabor
(c) Reflection Questions
- What does the psalm reveal about the spiritual meaning of age and endurance?
- How does the poet turn weakness into wisdom?
- Compare verses 6 and 22: how does music serve as both memory and offering?
End of Psalm 71 (Vulgate)
Would you like me to continue directly next time with Psalm 72 (Deus, judicium tuum Regi da) in this same definitive study format?