Psalm 12 (Vulgate: Psalmus 12)


Latin source: Psalmi iuxta Vulgatam Clementinam
(Note: in the Hebrew/Masoretic numbering this is Psalm 13.)


Verse 1

Usquequo, Domine, oblivisceris me in finem? usquequo avertis faciem tuam a me?

Translation:
How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you turn your face away from me?

Notes:

  • usquequo – “how long?”
  • oblivisceris – 2nd sg. pres. dep. ind. of obliviscor, oblivisci, oblitus sum – to forget.
  • avertis – 2nd sg. pres. act. ind. of averto, avertere, averti, aversum – to turn away.
  • faciem – acc. sg. of facies, faciei (f.) – face, presence.

Verse 2

Quamdiu ponam consilia in anima mea, dolorem in corde meo per diem?

Translation:
How long shall I carry counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day?

Notes:

  • ponam – 1st sg. fut./pres. subj. of pono, ponere, posui, positum – to place, put.
  • consilia – acc. pl. of consilium, consilii (n.) – plan, counsel.
  • anima – abl. sg. of anima, animae (f.) – soul, life.
  • dolorem – acc. sg. of dolor, doloris (m.) – sorrow, grief.
  • cor, cordis (n.) – heart.

Verse 3

Usquequo exaltabitur inimicus meus super me?

Translation:
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Notes:

  • exaltabitur – 3rd sg. fut. ind. pass. of exalto, exaltare, exaltavi, exaltatum – to lift up, exalt.
  • inimicus – nom. sg. of inimicus, inimici (m.) – enemy.

Verse 4

Respice, et exaudi me, Domine Deus meus. Illumina oculos meos, ne umquam obdormiam in morte.

Translation:
Look upon me and hear me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes, lest I ever sleep in death.

Notes:

  • respice – 2nd sg. pres. act. impv. of respicio, respicere, respexi, respectum – look upon.
  • exaudi – 2nd sg. pres. act. impv. of exaudi(o), exaudire, exaudivi, exauditum – hear, listen.
  • illumina – 2nd sg. pres. act. impv. of illumino, illuminare, illuminavi, illuminatum – to light up, enlighten.
  • oculos – acc. pl. of oculus, oculi (m.) – eye.
  • obdormiam – 1st sg. pres. subj. act. of obdormio, obdormire, obdormivi, obdormitum – to fall asleep.
  • mors, mortis (f.) – death.

Verse 5

Nequando dicat inimicus meus: Praevalui adversus eum. Qui tribulant me exsultabunt si motus fuero.

Translation:
Lest my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. Those who trouble me will rejoice if I am overthrown.

Notes:

  • dicat – 3rd sg. pres. subj. act. of dico, dicere, dixi, dictum – to say.
  • praevalui – 1st sg. perf. act. ind. of praevaleo, praevalere, praevalui – to prevail, be strong.
  • tribulant – 3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of tribulo, tribulare, tribulavi, tribulatum – to afflict, trouble.
  • exsultabunt – 3rd pl. fut. act. ind. of exsulto, exsultare, exsultavi, exsultatum – to rejoice, exult.
  • motus fuero – fut. perf. passive of moveo, movere, movi, motum – to move, shake; here “be overthrown.”

Verse 6

Ego autem in misericordia tua speravi: exsultabit cor meum in salutari tuo. Cantabo Domino, qui bona tribuit mihi: et psallam nomini Domini altissimi.

Translation:
But I have trusted in your mercy: my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, who has dealt bountifully with me, and I will praise the name of the Lord Most High.

Notes:

  • speravi – 1st sg. perf. act. ind. of spero, sperare, speravi, speratum – to hope, trust.
  • exsultabit – 3rd sg. fut. act. ind. of exsulto, exsultare – to rejoice.
  • salutare – abl. sg. of salutare, salutaris (n.) – salvation, deliverance.
  • cantabo – 1st sg. fut. act. ind. of canto, cantare, cantavi, cantatum – to sing.
  • tribuit – 3rd sg. perf. act. ind. of tribuo, tribuere, tribui, tributum – to give, bestow.
  • psallam – 1st sg. fut. act. ind. of psallo, psallere, psall(i) – to play/sing psalms.
  • altissimi – gen. sg. of altissimus, altissimi (m.) – the Most High.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *