Summary
A psalm of praise and trust in the Lord’s providence.
The just are called to rejoice, for God’s word is faithful and His works are done in justice and mercy.
By His word the heavens were made; He frustrates the designs of the nations but upholds those who fear Him.
The psalm closes with serene confidence: “In ipso laetabitur cor nostrum.”
Verses, Translation, and Word Notes
1. Exsultate, iusti, in Domino: rectos decet collaudatio.
Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; praise befits the upright.
- exsultate — exsulto, -are, -avi, -atum — rejoice, exult (2 pl pres. imper. act.)
- iustus, -i (m) — just, righteous person
- rectus, -a, -um — straight, upright
- decet — deceo, -ere, decui — it is fitting (pres. ind. act. impers.)
- collaudatio, -onis (f) — praise, commendation
2. Confitemini Domino in cithara: in psalterio decem chordarum psallite illi.
Give thanks to the Lord with the harp; sing psalms to Him on the ten-stringed psaltery.
- confitemini — confiteor, -eri, confessus sum — give thanks (2 pl pres. imper. deponent)
- cithara, -ae (f) — harp
- psalterium, -i (n) — psaltery, stringed instrument
- chorda, -ae (f) — string
- psallite — psallo, -ere, psalli — sing psalms (2 pl pres. imper.)
3. Cantate ei canticum novum: bene psallite ei in vociferatione.
Sing to Him a new song; play well to Him with shouts of joy.
- cantate — canto, -are, -avi, -atum — sing (2 pl pres. imper.)
- canticum, -i (n) — song
- novus, -a, -um — new
- bene psallite — play well (2 pl pres. imper.)
- vociferatio, -onis (f) — loud cry, shout
4. Quia rectum est verbum Domini, et omnia opera eius in fide.
For right is the word of the Lord, and all His works (are) in faithfulness.
- rectus, -a, -um — right, straight
- verbum, -i (n) — word
- fides, fidei (f) — faith, faithfulness
5. Diligit misericordiam et iudicium: misericordia Domini plena est terra.
He loves mercy and justice; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- diligo, -ere, dilexi, dilectum — to love
- misericordia, -ae (f) — mercy
- iudicium, -i (n) — judgement, justice
- plenus, -a, -um — full
6. Verbo Domini caeli firmati sunt: et spiritu oris eius omnis virtus eorum.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made firm, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.
- firmati sunt — firmo, -are, -avi, -atum — were made firm (perf. ind. pass.)
- spiritus, -us (m) — breath, spirit
- os, oris (n) — mouth
- virtus, -utis (f) — power, host, army
7. Congregans sicut in utre aquas maris: ponens in thesauris abyssos.
Gathering the waters of the sea as in a bottle; placing the deeps in storehouses.
- congregans — congrego, -are, -avi, -atum — gathering (pres. part. act.)
- uter, utris (m) — leather bottle, flask
- thesaurus, -i (m) — treasure, storehouse
- abyssus, -i (f) — deep, abyss
8. Timeat Dominum omnis terra: ab eo autem commoveantur omnes inhabitantes orbem.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; and let all who dwell in the world be moved before Him.
- timeat — timeo, -ere, timui — may fear (pres. subj. act.)
- commoveantur — commoveo, -ere, commovi, commotum — may be moved (pres. subj. pass.)
- inhabitantes — inhabito, -are — dwelling (pres. part. act.)
- orbis, -is (m) — circle, world
9. Quoniam ipse dixit, et facta sunt: ipse mandavit, et creata sunt.
For He Himself spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
- dixit — dico, -ere, dixi, dictum — He said (perf. ind. act.)
- facta sunt — facio, -ere, feci, factum — they were made (perf. ind. pass.)
- mandavit — mando, -are, -avi, -atum — He commanded (perf. ind. act.)
- creata sunt — creo, -are, -avi, -atum — they were created (perf. ind. pass.)
10. Dominus dissipat consilia gentium: reprobat autem cogitationes populorum, et reprobat consilia principum.
The Lord brings to nothing the counsels of the nations; He rejects the thoughts of the peoples and the counsels of princes.
- dissipo, -are, -avi, -atum — to scatter, bring to nought
- consilium, -i (n) — plan, counsel
- reprobo, -are, -avi, -atum — to reject, disapprove
- principes, -um (m pl) — princes
11. Consilium autem Domini in aeternum manet: cogitationes cordis eius in generatione et generationem.
But the counsel of the Lord remains forever; the thoughts of His heart, from generation to generation.
- manet — maneo, -ere, mansi, mansum — remains (pres. ind. act.)
- cogitatio, -onis (f) — thought
- generatio, -onis (f) — generation
12. Beata gens, cuius est Dominus Deus eius: populus, quem elegit in hereditatem sibi.
Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord; the people whom He chose for His inheritance.
- beatus, -a, -um — blessed, happy
- gens, gentis (f) — nation, people
- eligo, -ere, elegi, electum — to choose
- hereditas, -atis (f) — inheritance
13. De caelo respexit Dominus: vidit omnes filios hominum.
From heaven the Lord looked down; He saw all the sons of men.
- respexit — respicio, -ere, respexi, respectum — He looked upon (perf. ind. act.)
- vidit — video, -ere, vidi, visum — He saw (perf. ind. act.)
14. De praeparato habitaculo suo respexit super omnes qui habitant terram.
From His prepared dwelling place He looked forth upon all who dwell on the earth.
- praeparatus, -a, -um — prepared
- habitaculum, -i (n) — dwelling
- super (+ acc.) — over, upon
- habitant — habito, -are, -avi, -atum — they dwell (pres. ind. act.)
15. Qui finxit singillatim corda eorum: qui intelligit omnia opera eorum.
He who fashioned their hearts one by one; He who understands all their works.
- finxit — fingo, -ere, finxi, fictum — He fashioned, formed (perf. ind. act.)
- singillatim — one by one, individually
- intelligit — intellego, -ere, intellexi, intellectum — He understands (pres. ind. act.)
- opus, operis (n) — work
16. Non salvatur rex per multam virtutem, et gigas non salvabitur in multitudine virtutis suae.
A king is not saved by much strength, nor shall a giant be saved by the multitude of his power.
- salvatur — salvo, -are, -avi, -atum — is saved (pres. ind. pass.)
- virtus, -utis (f) — strength, power
- gigas, gigantis (m) — giant
17. Fallax equus ad salutem: in abundantia autem virtutis suae non salvabitur.
Deceptive is the horse for salvation; and by the abundance of his strength he shall not be saved.
- fallax, -acis — deceitful
- salus, -utis (f) — salvation
- abundantia, -ae (f) — abundance
18. Ecce oculi Domini super metuentes eum, et in eis qui sperant super misericordia eius:
Behold, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy.
- oculus, -i (m) — eye
- metuens, -entis — fearing (part.)
- sperant — spero, -are, -avi, -atum — they hope (pres. ind. act.)
19. Ut eruat a morte animas eorum, et alat eos in fame.
That He may deliver their souls from death and keep them alive in famine.
- eruat — eruo, -ere, erui, erutum — may deliver (pres. subj. act.)
- animam, -ae (f) — soul
- alo, alere, alui, altum — to nourish, sustain
- fames, famis (f) — hunger, famine
20. Anima nostra sustinet Dominum: quoniam adiutor et protector noster est.
Our soul has waited for the Lord, for He is our helper and protector.
- sustinet — sustineo, -ere, sustinui, sustentum — supports, waits for (pres. ind. act.)
- adiutor, -oris (m) — helper
- protector, -oris (m) — protector
21. Quia in eo laetabitur cor nostrum, et in nomine sancto eius speravimus.
For in Him our heart shall rejoice, and in His holy name we have hoped.
- laetabitur — laetor, -ari, -atus sum — shall rejoice (fut. ind. deponent)
- cor, cordis (n) — heart
- speravimus — spero, -are, -avi, -atum — we have hoped (perf. ind. act.)
22. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in you.
- fiat — fio, fieri, factus sum — let it be (pres. subj. pass.)
- misericordia, -ae (f) — mercy
- speravimus — spero, -are, -avi, -atum — we have hoped (perf. ind. act.)
Study Exercise
Translate into Latin:
- Sing to Him a new song.
- By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
- Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
- The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him.
- Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Answers:
- Cantate ei canticum novum.
- Verbo Domini caeli firmati sunt.
- Beata gens, cuius est Dominus Deus eius.
- Oculi Domini super metuentes eum.
- Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos.