Quam bonus Israel Deus
Versus 1
Quam bonus Israel Deus his, qui recto sunt corde!
How good is God to Israel, to those who are upright of heart!
Word Notes:
- bonus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – good.
- rectus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – straight, upright.
- cor, cordis n. (3) – heart.
Versus 2
Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes, pene effusi sunt gressus mei:
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped, my steps had nearly gone astray.
Word Notes:
- pes, pedis m. (3) – foot.
- gradus, -us m. (4) – step, pace.
- moveo – movere – movi – motum (2) – to move, shake.
- effundo – effundere – effudi – effusum (3) – to pour out, spill.
Versus 3
Quia zelavi super iniquos, pacem peccatorum videns.
For I was envious of the wicked when I saw the peace of sinners.
Word Notes:
- zelo – zelare – zelavi – zelatum (1) – to be zealous for, envy.
- peccator, -oris m. (3) – sinner.
- iniquus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – unjust, wicked.
Versus 4
Quia non est respectus morti eorum, et firmamentum in plaga eorum.
For there is no fear in their death, and their strength is firm despite their wounds.
Word Notes:
- respectus, -us m. (4) – fear, regard.
- mors, mortis f. (3) – death.
- plaga, -ae f. (1) – blow, wound, affliction.
- firmamentum, -i n. (2) – strength, firmness.
Versus 5
In laboribus hominum non sunt, et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur.
They are not in the troubles of men, nor are they scourged like others.
Word Notes:
- labor, laboris m. (3) – toil, hardship.
- flagello – flagellare – flagellavi – flagellatum (1) – to whip, scourge.
Versus 6
Ideo tenuit eos superbia, operti sunt iniquitate et impietate sua.
Therefore pride has held them fast; they are clothed with their iniquity and impiety.
Word Notes:
- superbia, -ae f. (1) – pride, arrogance.
- opero – operare – operavi – operatum (1) – to cover, clothe.
- impietas, -atis f. (3) – ungodliness, impiety.
Versus 7
Prodiit quasi ex adipe iniquitas eorum; transierunt in affectum cordis.
Their iniquity has come forth like fatness; they have passed into the desire of their hearts.
Word Notes:
- adeps, adipis m./f. (3) – fat, richness.
- affectus, -us m. (4) – desire, inclination, feeling.
- transeo – transire – transii – transitum (irr.) – to pass over.
Versus 8
Cogitaverunt, et locuti sunt nequitiam; iniquitatem in excelso locuti sunt.
They have thought and spoken wickedness; they have uttered injustice from on high.
Word Notes:
- cogito – cogitare – cogitavi – cogitatum (1) – to think.
- loquor – loqui – locutus sum (dep. 3) – to speak.
- nequitia, -ae f. (1) – wickedness, vice.
- excelso, -orum n. pl. (2) – high place, exalted position.
Versus 9
Posuerunt in caelum os suum, et lingua eorum transivit in terra.
They have set their mouth against heaven, and their tongue walks through the earth.
Word Notes:
- os, oris n. (3) – mouth.
- lingua, -ae f. (1) – tongue, language.
- transeo – transire – transii – transitum (irr.) – to pass, go across.
Versus 10
Ideo convertetur populus meus hic, et dies pleni invenientur in eis.
Therefore my people turn hither, and full days are found in them.
Word Notes:
- converto – convertere – converti – conversum (3) – to turn, change.
- invenio – invenire – inveni – inventum (4) – to find.
Versus 11
Et dixerunt: Quomodo scit Deus, et si est scientia in excelso?
And they said: How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?
Word Notes:
- scio – scire – scivi – scitum (4) – to know.
- scientia, -ae f. (1) – knowledge.
- excelsus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – high, exalted.
Versus 12
Ecce ipsi peccatores, et abundantes in saeculo, obtinuerunt divitias.
Behold, these are sinners, and prospering in the world, they have obtained riches.
Word Notes:
- abundo – abundare – abundavi – abundatum (1) – to abound.
- divitiae, -arum f. pl. (1) – riches, wealth.
- obtinere – obtineo – obtinui – obtentum (2) – to obtain, hold.
Versus 13
Et dixi: Ergo sine causa justificavi cor meum, et lavi inter innocentes manus meas.
And I said: Therefore have I kept my heart pure in vain and washed my hands among the innocent.
Word Notes:
- justifico – justificare – justificavi – justificatum (1) – to justify, make righteous.
- lavo – lavare – lavi – lautum (1) – to wash.
- innocens, -ntis (adj. 3) – innocent.
Versus 14
Et fui flagellatus tota die, et castigatio mea in matutinis.
And I have been scourged all the day long, and chastised every morning.
Word Notes:
- flagello – flagellare – flagellavi – flagellatum (1) – to whip, scourge.
- castigatio, -onis f. (3) – chastisement, correction.
- matutinus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – of the morning.
Versus 15
Si dicebam: Narrabo sic; ecce generationem filiorum tuorum reprobavi.
If I said, I will speak thus; behold, I should have condemned the generation of your children.
Word Notes:
- narro – narrare – narravi – narratum (1) – to tell, narrate.
- reprobo – reprobare – reprobavi – reprobatus (1) – to reject, disapprove.
Versus 16–17
Existimabam ut cognoscerem hoc, labor est ante me, donec intrem in sanctuarium Dei, et intellegam in novissimis eorum.
I pondered to understand this, but it was a labour before me, until I entered the sanctuary of God and understood their end.
Word Notes:
- existimo – existimare – existimavi – existimatum (1) – to consider.
- cognosco – cognoscere – cognovi – cognitum (3) – to know, learn.
- intellego – intellegere – intellexi – intellectum (3) – to understand.
- novissimus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – last, final.
Versus 18–20
Verumtamen propter dolos posuisti eis; dejecisti eos dum elevarentur. Quomodo facti sunt in desolationem, subito defecerunt! Perierunt propter iniquitatem suam. Velut somnium surgentium, Domine, in civitate tua imaginem eorum ad nihilum rediges.
Surely you have set them in slippery places; you cast them down when they were lifted up. How are they brought to desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, you shall bring their image to nothing.
Word Notes:
- dolus, -i m. (2) – deceit, trick.
- deicio – deicere – dejeci – dejectum (3 mix) – to cast down.
- perio – perire – perii – peritum (irr.) – to perish.
- somnium, -ii n. (2) – dream.
- redigo – redigere – redegi – redactum (3) – to reduce, bring to nothing.
Versus 21–22
Quia inflammatum est cor meum, et renes mei commutati sunt; et ego ad nihilum redactus sum, et nescivi.
For my heart was inflamed, and my reins were changed; and I was brought to nothing, and knew not why.
Word Notes:
- inflammo – inflammare – inflammavi – inflammatum (1) – to inflame, burn.
- ren, renis m. (3) – kidney, inward part, emotion.
- commuto – commutare – commutavi – commutatum (1) – to change.
Versus 23–24
Ut jumentum factus sum apud te, et ego semper tecum. Tenes manum dexteram meam, et in voluntate tua deduxisti me, et cum gloria suscepisti me.
I was as a beast before you; yet I am always with you. You hold my right hand; you guide me by your counsel, and afterward you will receive me in glory.
Word Notes:
- jumentum, -i n. (2) – beast of burden.
- teneo – tenere – tenui – tentum (2) – to hold.
- deduco – deducere – deduxi – deductum (3) – to lead, guide.
- suscipio – suscipere – suscepi – susceptum (3 mix) – to receive, take up.
Versus 25–26
Quid enim mihi est in caelo? Et tecum nihil volui super terram. Defecit caro mea et cor meum; Deus cordis mei et pars mea Deus in aeternum.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And besides you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Word Notes:
- volo – velle – volui (irr.) – to want, desire.
- caro, carnis f. (3) – flesh.
- pars, partis f. (3) – part, share, portion.
Versus 27–28
Quia ecce qui elongant se a te peribunt; perdidisti omnes qui fornicantur abs te. Mihi autem adhærere Deo bonum est, ponere in Domino Deo spem meam, ut annuntiem omnes praedicationes tuas in portis filiae Sion.
For behold, those who go far from you shall perish; you have destroyed all who are unfaithful to you. But for me, it is good to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all your works in the gates of the daughter of Zion.
Word Notes:
- elongare – elongare – elongavi – elongatum (1) – to go far off.
- perdo – perdere – perdidi – perditum (3) – to destroy.
- adhaereo – adhaerere – adhaesi – adhaesum (2) – to cling to.
- annuntio – annuntiare – annuntiavi – annuntiatum (1) – to declare, proclaim.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 73 is a journey from envy to enlightenment. The psalmist, disturbed by the prosperity of the wicked, enters the sanctuary and perceives their end. What first appears as injustice becomes insight: the fate of the ungodly is fleeting, but the one who clings to God finds true permanence.
The text oscillates between despair and discovery—an inner dialogue between reason and faith. Its final verses transform complaint into communion: “Mihi autem adhærere Deo bonum est.” The psalm thus traces the soul’s education through moral doubt into spiritual clarity.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- My heart and my flesh fail.
- God is the strength of my heart.
- It is good for me to draw near to God.
- I have put my hope in the Lord.
Key:
- Defecit caro mea et cor meum.
- Deus cordis mei et pars mea Deus.
- Mihi autem adhærere Deo bonum est.
- Posui in Domino Deo spem meam.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Give present, imperfect, future of:
- adhaereo – adhaerere (2)
- perdo – perdere (3)
- cognosco – cognoscere (3)
- inflammo – inflammare (1)
- deduco – deducere (3)
Model Answers:
- adhaereo / adhaerebam / adhaerebo
- perdo / perdebam / perdam
- cognosco / cognoscebam / cognoscam
- inflammo / inflammabam / inflammabo
- deduco / deducebam / deducam
(c) Reflection Questions
- How does the psalmist’s perspective change within this poem?
- What role does the “sanctuary” play in his transformation?
- In what sense can envy become a teacher of faith?