Psalm 19 (Hebrew numbering), corresponding to Psalm 18 in the Latin Vulgate, is one of the most beautiful psalms: it moves from the glory of creation to the perfection of divine law and ends in a personal prayer for purity and integrity.
(= Psalm 19 in Hebrew numbering)
Cæli enarrant gloriam Dei
1. Cæli enarrant gloriam Dei, et opera manuum ejus annuntiat firmamentum.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Word Notes
- caelum, -ī (n.) – heaven, sky
- enarrō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to declare, recount in detail
- glōria, -ae (f.) – glory, splendour
- Deus, -ī (m.) – God
- opus, -eris (n.) – work, deed
- manus, -ūs (f.) – hand
- annuntiō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to announce, proclaim
- firmāmentum, -ī (n.) – firmament, sky, support
2. Dies diēi eructat verbum, et nox nocti indicat scientiam.
Day to day pours out speech, and night to night shows knowledge.
Word Notes
- diēs, -ēī (m./f.) – day
- eructō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to pour forth, utter abundantly
- verbum, -ī (n.) – word, speech
- nox, noctis (f.) – night
- indicō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to make known, declare
- scientia, -ae (f.) – knowledge
3. Non sunt loquelæ, neque sermones, quorum non audiantur voces eorum.
There are no speeches or words where their voices are not heard.
Word Notes
- loquela, -ae (f.) – speech, utterance
- sermō, -ōnis (m.) – word, speech, discourse
- audiō, -īre, -īvī, -ītum – to hear
- vōx, vōcis (f.) – voice
4. In omnem terram exivit sonus eorum, et in fines orbis terræ verba eorum.
Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Word Notes
- omnis, -e – every, all
- terra, -ae (f.) – earth, land
- exēō, -īre, exiī, exitum – to go out
- sonus, -ūs (m.) – sound
- fīnis, -is (m.) – end, boundary
- orbis, -is (m.) – circle, world
- verbum, -ī (n.) – word
5. In sole posuit tabernaculum suum: et ipse tamquam sponsus procedens de thalamo suo.
He has set his tent in the sun; and he comes forth like a bridegroom from his chamber.
Word Notes
- sōl, sōlis (m.) – sun
- pōnō, -ere, posuī, positum – to place, set
- tabernāculum, -ī (n.) – tent, dwelling
- ipse, ipsa, ipsum – he himself
- tamquam – as, like
- spōnsus, -ī (m.) – bridegroom
- procedō, -ere, processī, processum – to go forth, advance
- thalamus, -ī (m.) – bridal chamber
6. Exsultavit ut gigas ad currendam viam:
He rejoices like a giant to run his course.
Word Notes
- exsultō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to rejoice, leap for joy
- gigas, gigantis (m.) – giant, strong man
- currō, -ere, cucurrī, cursum – to run
- via, -ae (f.) – way, path
7. A summo cælo egressio ejus: et occursus ejus usque ad summum ejus:
His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his circuit unto the end of it.
Word Notes
- summus, -a, -um – highest, utmost
- caelum, -ī (n.) – heaven
- egressio, -ōnis (f.) – going out, course
- occursus, -ūs (m.) – running together, course, circuit
- usque ad – all the way to, unto
8. Nec est qui se abscondat a calore ejus.
And there is none that can hide himself from its heat.
Word Notes
- abscondō, -ere, -dī, -ditum – to hide
- calor, -ōris (m.) – heat, warmth
9. Lex Domini immaculata, convertens animas: testimonium Domini fidele, sapientiam præstans parvulis.
The law of the Lord is spotless, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to the little ones.
Word Notes
- lex, legis (f.) – law
- immaculātus, -a, -um – without stain, pure
- convertō, -ere, -vertī, -versum – to turn back, restore
- anima, -ae (f.) – soul
- testimonium, -ī (n.) – testimony, witness
- fidelis, -e – faithful, trustworthy
- sapientia, -ae (f.) – wisdom
- praestō, -āre, -stitī, -stitum – to bestow, supply
- parvulus, -ī (m.) – little one, child
10. Justitiæ Domini rectæ, lætificantes corda: præceptum Domini lucidum, illuminans oculos.
The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is bright, enlightening the eyes.
Word Notes
- iustitia, -ae (f.) – righteousness, justice
- rectus, -a, -um – right, straight
- laetificō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to gladden, cheer
- cor, cordis (n.) – heart
- praeceptum, -ī (n.) – precept, commandment
- lucidus, -a, -um – shining, bright
- illuminō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to enlighten
- oculus, -ī (m.) – eye
11. Timor Domini sanctus, permanens in sæculum sæculi: judicia Domini vera, justificata in semetipsa.
The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
Word Notes
- timor, -ōris (m.) – fear, reverence
- sānctus, -a, -um – holy
- permaneō, -ēre, -mānsī, -mānsum – to remain, endure
- iudicium, -ī (n.) – judgment, decision
- vērus, -a, -um – true, real
- iustificō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to justify, make right
12. Desiderabilia super aurum et lapidem pretiosum multum: et dulciora super mel et favum.
More to be desired than gold and much precious stone, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
Word Notes
- desiderabilis, -e – desirable, precious
- aurum, -ī (n.) – gold
- lapis, -idis (m.) – stone
- pretiosus, -a, -um – precious, valuable
- dulcis, -e – sweet
- mel, mellis (n.) – honey
- favus, -ī (m.) – honeycomb
13. Etenim servus tuus custodit ea, in custodiendis illis retributio multa.
Moreover, your servant keeps them; in keeping them there is great reward.
Word Notes
- servus, -ī (m.) – servant
- custodiō, -īre, -īvī, -ītum – to guard, keep
- retributio, -ōnis (f.) – recompense, reward
- multus, -a, -um – much, great
14. Delicta quis intelligit? Ab occultis meis munda me.
Who can understand his faults? Cleanse me from my hidden sins.
Word Notes
- delictum, -ī (n.) – fault, offence
- intellegō, -ere, -lēxī, -lēctum – to understand
- occultus, -a, -um – hidden
- mundō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to cleanse, purify
15. Et ab alienis parce servo tuo. Si mei non fuerint dominati, tunc immaculatus ero: et emundabor a delicto maximo.
And from strangers spare your servant. If they shall not have dominion over me, then shall I be spotless, and cleansed from the greatest sin.
Word Notes
- aliēnus, -a, -um – foreign, alien; often = “strange sins”
- parcō, -ere, pepercī, parsus (+ dat.) – to spare
- dominor, -ārī, -ātus sum (+ dat.) – to have dominion over
- immaculātus, -a, -um – blameless, spotless
- emundō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to cleanse thoroughly
- maximus, -a, -um – greatest
16. Et erunt ut complaceant eloquia oris mei: et meditatio cordis mei in conspectu tuo semper. Domine, adjutor meus, et redemptor meus.
And let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing always in your sight, O Lord, my helper and my redeemer.
Word Notes
- eloquium, -ī (n.) – utterance, saying
- ōs, oris (n.) – mouth
- meditātiō, -ōnis (f.) – meditation, thought
- cor, cordis (n.) – heart
- cōnspectus, -ūs (m.) – sight, presence
- adiūtor, -ōris (m.) – helper
- redemptor, -ōris (m.) – redeemer, rescuer