Bonum est confiteri Domino
It is good to give thanks to the Lord — a psalm of praise, rhythm, and inward renewal.
Versus 1
Bonum est confiteri Domino, et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing to your name, O Most High.
Word Notes:
- confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum (dep. 2) – to confess, give thanks, acknowledge.
- psallo, psallere – to sing, make music.
Versus 2
Ad annuntiandum mane misericordiam tuam, et veritatem tuam per noctem;
To declare your mercy in the morning, and your truth in the night.
Word Notes:
- annuntio – to proclaim, announce.
- misericordia, -ae f. (1) – mercy, loving-kindness.
- veritas, -atis f. (3) – truth.
Versus 3
in decachordo, psalterio, cum canticis, in cithara.
On the ten-stringed harp, on the psaltery, with song, on the lyre.
Word Notes:
- decachordum, -i n. – ten-stringed harp.
- psalterium – psaltery, stringed instrument.
- cithara – lyre.
Versus 4
Quia delectasti me, Domine, in factura tua; et in operibus manuum tuarum exsultabo.
For you, Lord, have made me glad by your work; and I will rejoice in the works of your hands.
Word Notes:
- delecto – to delight, gladden.
- factura – something made, creation.
- exsulto – to rejoice, exult.
Versus 5
Quam magnificata sunt opera tua, Domine! nimis profundae factae sunt cogitationes tuae.
How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.
Word Notes:
- magnifico – to magnify.
- profundus, -a, -um – deep, unfathomable.
- cogitatio, -onis f. – thought.
Versus 6
Vir insipiens non cognoscet, et stultus non intelliget haec.
The foolish person does not know, and the stupid one does not understand these things.
Word Notes:
- insipiens, -entis – senseless, foolish.
- stultus, -i m. – fool.
- intelligo – to understand.
Versus 7
Cum exorti fuerint peccatores sicut fenum, et apparuerint omnes qui operantur iniquitatem, ut intereant in sæculum sæculi;
When sinners spring up like grass, and all who work iniquity flourish — it is that they may perish forever.
Word Notes:
- exorior – to spring up, arise.
- intereo – to perish.
Versus 8
tu autem altissimus in aeternum, Domine.
But you, O Lord, are the Most High forever.
Versus 9
Quoniam ecce inimici tui, Domine, quoniam ecce inimici tui peribunt: et dispergentur omnes qui operantur iniquitatem.
For behold, your enemies, Lord — behold, your enemies shall perish; all who do iniquity shall be scattered.
Word Notes:
- dispergo – to scatter.
Versus 10
Et exaltabitur sicut unicornis cornu meum: et senectus mea in misericordia uberi.
But my horn shall be exalted like that of the wild ox; and my old age shall be anointed with rich mercy.
Word Notes:
- unicornis – wild ox (not “unicorn” in the modern sense).
- senectus, -tutis f. – old age.
- uber, uberis – abundant, rich.
Versus 11
Et despexit oculus meus inimicos meos: et insurgentibus in me malignantibus audiet auris mea.
My eye has looked upon my enemies; my ear will hear the wicked who rise up against me.
Versus 12
Justus ut palma florebit; sicut cedrus Libani multiplicabitur.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
Word Notes:
- palma, -ae f. – palm tree.
- cedrus, -i f. – cedar.
Versus 13
Plantati in domo Domini, in atriis domus Dei nostri florebunt.
Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Versus 14
Adhuc multiplicabuntur in senecta uberi, et bene patientes erunt,
Even in ripe old age they shall still bear fruit, and be vigorous.
Versus 15
ut annuntient quoniam rectus Dominus Deus noster, et non est iniquitas in eo.
To declare that the Lord our God is righteous, and in him there is no injustice.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 91 (Vulgate) is a psalm of praise and renewal, not petition.
Its movement is liturgical, rhythmic, and internal:
- Daily rhythm: morning mercy, night truth
The psalm presents life as a cycle grounded in divine constancy. - The contrast: shallow flourishing vs. deep rootedness
Sinners rise like grass — quickly, superficially.
The righteous grow like palms and cedars — slow, deep, enduring. - A spiritual psychology of growth
This is a psalm of interior maturing:
righteousness is not perfection but healthy rootedness. - The elder years are honoured
“In senecta uberi” — fruitful old age — is rare and tender in Scripture.
Growth is lifelong; inner abundance increases with time.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
- It is good to give thanks to the Lord.
- Your thoughts are very deep.
- The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.
- Planted in the house of the Lord.
Key:
- Bonum est confiteri Domino.
- Nimis profundae factae sunt cogitationes tuae.
- Justus ut palma florebit.
- Plantati in domo Domini.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Give present / imperfect / future:
- annuntio – annuntiare
- floreo – florere
- cognosco – cognoscere
- dispergo – dispergere
- perhibeo – perhibere (“to declare, bear witness” — optional extension)
Model Answers:
annuntio / annuntiabam / annuntiabo
floreo / florebam / florebo
cognosco / cognoscebam / cognoscam
dispergo / dispergebam / dispergam
perhibeo / perhibebam / perhibebo
(c) Reflection Questions
- What images of flourishing speak to you — palm, cedar, rootedness?
- How does the psalm contrast shallow “grass-like” success with deep spiritual growth?
- What does it mean to be “planted in the house of the Lord” psychologically?