Paratum cor meum, Deus
14 verses total
A psalm of steadfast trust, renewed courage, and divine victory drawn from earlier Davidic compositions.
VERSUS 1–14 (Latin + Literal English + Full Word Notes)
Versus 1
Paratum cor meum, Deus, paratum cor meum; cantabo et psallam in gloria mea.
My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and play in my glory.
Word Notes:
- paratus, -a, -um — ready, prepared.
- cor, cordis n. — heart.
- cantabo — fut. of canto, cantare to sing.
- psallam — fut. of psallo, psallere to play/sing with strings.
- gloria, -ae f. — glory, honour.
Versus 2
Exsurge, gloria mea; exsurge, psalterium et cithara: exsurgam diluculo.
Rise up, my glory; rise, psaltery and harp: I shall rise at dawn.
Word Notes:
- exsurgo, -ere — to rise up.
- psalterium, -ii n. — psaltery.
- cithara, -ae f. — lyre, harp.
- diluculum, -i n. — daybreak.
Versus 3
Confitebor tibi in populis, Domine, et psalmum dicam tibi in nationibus.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O Lord, and sing a psalm to you among the nations.
Word Notes:
- confiteor, confiteri — to give thanks, confess.
- psalmum dicere — idiom: to sing/play a psalm.
- gens, gentis f. — nation.
Versus 4
Quia magna super caelos misericordia tua, et usque ad nubes veritas tua.
For great above the heavens is your mercy, and to the clouds your truth.
Word Notes:
- super — above, beyond.
- misericordia, -ae f. — mercy.
- veritas, -atis f. — truth, fidelity.
Versus 5
Exaltare super caelos, Deus, et super omnem terram gloria tua.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God, and over all the earth your glory.
Word Notes:
- exaltare — to be lifted up.
- terra, -ae f. — earth, land.
Versus 6
Ut liberentur dilecti tui: salvum fac dextera tua, et exaudi me.
That your beloved may be delivered: save with your right hand, and hear me.
Word Notes:
- ut — so that.
- libero, liberare — to free, deliver.
- dilectus, -i m. — beloved one.
- dextera, -ae f. — right hand (symbolic of strength).
- exaudi, -ire — to hear (favourably).
Versus 7
Deus locutus est in sancto suo: exsultabo, et dividam Sicimam, et convallem tabernaculorum dimetiar.
God has spoken in his sanctuary: I will exult, and divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of tents.
Word Notes:
- loquor, loqui — to speak.
- sanctum, -i n. — holy place.
- exsulto, -are — to rejoice, exult.
- divido, dividere — divide, apportion.
- dimetior, dimetiri — to measure off.
Versus 8
Meus est Galaad, meus est Manasses; et Ephraim fortitudo capitis mei; Juda rex meus.
Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is the strength of my head; Judah is my kingly staff.
Word Notes:
- Tribal imagery: metaphors of unity and authority.
- fortitudo, -inis f. — strength.
- caput, capitis n. — head.
Versus 9
Moab olla spei meae; in Idumaeam extendam calceamentum meum; mihi alienigenae amici facti sunt.
Moab is the pot of my hope; upon Edom I shall cast my sandal; foreigners are become my friends.
Word Notes:
- olla, -ae f. — pot, vessel.
- spes, spei f. — hope.
- calceamentum, -i n. — shoe, sandal.
- Gesture of subjection.
Versus 10
Quis deducet me in civitatem munitam? quis deducet me usque in Idumaeam?
Who will lead me into the fortified city? Who will lead me even unto Edom?
Word Notes:
- deduco, deducere — to lead down/bring.
- civitas munita — fortified city.
- usque — even unto, as far as.
Versus 11
Nonne tu, Deus, qui repulisti nos? et non egredieris, Deus, in virtutibus nostris.
Will not you, O God, who have rejected us? And will you not go forth, O God, with our armies?
Word Notes:
- repello, repellere — to push back, reject.
- egredior, egredi — to go forth.
- virtus, -utis f. — strength, host, army.
Versus 12
Da nobis auxilium de tribulatione: quia vana salus hominis.
Give us help in trouble: for the salvation of man is worthless.
Word Notes:
- auxilium, -ii n. — help.
- tribulatio, -onis f. — distress.
- vanus, -a, -um — empty, futile.
Versus 13
In Deo faciemus virtutem: et ipse ad nihilum deducet tribulantes nos.
In God we shall do might; and he himself will bring to nothing those who trouble us.
Word Notes:
- facio virtutem — idiom: accomplish strength.
- ad nihilum deducere — reduce to nothing.
- tribulo, -are — to trouble, press.
Versus 14
(Concluding refrain repeated from vv. 5–6 in some manuscripts; main text ends at 13.)
MORPHOLOGICAL EXERCISES (10)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts:
- exsurgam
- confitebor
- dimetiar
- dilecti
- extendam
- deducet
- repulisti
- tribulantes
- deducet
- faciemus
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (10)
Translate into Latin:
- My heart is ready, O God.
- I will rise at dawn.
- Your mercy is above the heavens.
- Save with your right hand.
- God has spoken in his holy place.
- Gilead is mine.
- Who will lead me into the fortified city?
- Give us help in trouble.
- In God we shall do mighty deeds.
- He will bring our enemies to nothing.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 107 (Vulgate) is a composite song of steadfast trust and renewed national confidence. The psalmist begins with readiness of heart, rising early to praise, before proclaiming God’s mercy that towers above the heavens. Divine speech secures Israel’s lands and tribes, portraying the unity and stability God grants. Former enemies are brought into symbolic submission, while deliverance is sought from God alone, not human strength. The psalm ends with a confident appeal: with God, Israel will act with power, and all sources of oppression will collapse. It is a declaration of faith rooted in covenant memory and future hope.
REFLECTION QUESTION
Which parts of your “inner territory” (symbolised by tribes and cities) need to be reclaimed, ordered, or strengthened?