No truncation necessary.
Fundamenta ejus in montibus sanctis
(= Psalm 87 in Hebrew numbering)
Versus 1
Fundamenta ejus in montibus sanctis;
His foundations are upon the holy mountains;
Word Notes:
- fundamentum, -i n. (2) – foundation.
- mons, montis m. (3) – mountain.
- sanctus, -a, -um – holy.
Versus 2
diligit Dominus portas Sion super omnia tabernacula Jacob.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Word Notes:
- diligo – diligere – dilexi – dilectum (3) – to love, esteem.
- porta, -ae f. (1) – gate.
- Sion, -is f. (3) – Zion.
- tabernaculum, -i n. (2) – dwelling.
Versus 3
Gloriosa dicta sunt de te, civitas Dei.
Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.
Word Notes:
- gloriosus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – glorious.
- dictum, -i n. (2) – saying, word.
- civitas, -atis f. (3) – city.
Versus 4
Memor ero Rahab, et Babylonis scientibus me; ecce alienigenae, et Tyrus, et populus Aethiopum, hi fuerunt illic.
I will remember Rahab and Babylon among those who know me; behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of Ethiopia—these were born there.
Word Notes:
- memor ero – I will remember.
- Rahab – poetic name for Egypt.
- Babylon – Babylon.
- alienigena, -ae (1) – foreigner.
- Tyrus, -i f. (2) – Tyre.
- Aethiopes, -um m. pl. – Ethiopians (Cushites).
- illic – there.
Versus 5
Numquid Sion dicet: Homo, et homo natus est in ea, et ipse fudavit eam Altissimus?
But of Zion it shall be said: This man and that man were born in her, and the Most High himself has established her.
Word Notes:
- homo, hominis m. (3) – man, person.
- nascor – nasci – natus sum (dep. 3) – to be born.
- fundō – fundare – fundavi – fundatum (1) – to found, establish.
- Altissimus, -i m. (2) – the Most High.
Versus 6
Dominus narrabit in scriptura populorum, et principum: horum qui nati sunt in ea.
The Lord shall record in the register of the peoples and princes: that these were born in her.
Word Notes:
- narro – narrare – narravi – narratum (1) – to record, declare.
- scriptura, -ae f. (1) – written record, register.
- populus, -i m. (2) – people, nation.
- princeps, principis m. (3) – prince, ruler.
Versus 7
Sicut laetantium omnium habitatio est in te.
As all will rejoice, so is my dwelling in you.
Word Notes:
- laetor – laetari – laetatus sum (dep. 1) – to rejoice.
- habitatio, -onis f. (3) – dwelling, habitation.
- in te – in you (Zion).
Summary Commentary
Psalm 86 (Vulgate) is a short but profound celebration of Zion as the spiritual birthplace of all peoples. Key themes:
- Universal inclusion.
Egypt (Rahab), Babylon, Tyre, Ethiopia—traditional enemies—are listed as those who “were born” in Zion.
This is theology as reconciliation: enemies become children of the same city. - Zion as divine foundation.
The emphasis on fundamenta and fundavit signals stability — God himself builds the human community. - A prophetic vision of unity.
Nations and princes are “written in the register” of Zion.
This anticipates your wider project: the Bible as inner drama of unity, not tribal exclusivity. - Joy as habitation.
The final verse frames Zion as the dwelling-place of all who rejoice — a spiritual rather than geographical home.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
- Glorious things are spoken of you.
- The Lord loves the gates of Zion.
- This man was born in her.
- The Lord will record the peoples.
Key:
- Gloriosa dicta sunt de te.
- Diligit Dominus portas Sion.
- Homo natus est in ea.
- Dominus narrabit scriptura populorum.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Present / imperfect / future:
- diligo – diligere
- nascor – nasci
- narro – narrare
- fundo – fundare
- laetor – laetari
Model Answers:
- diligo / diligebam / diligam
- nascor / nascebar / nascar
- narro / narrabam / narrabo
- fundo / fundabam / fundabo
- laetor / laetabar / laetabor
(c) Reflection Questions
- What does it mean that traditional enemies are listed as “born in Zion”?
- How does this psalm redefine belonging and identity?
- In what sense might Zion function as a symbol of inner unity, rather than ethnic or political identity?