Summary
A psalm of appeal for divine justice.
The psalmist calls on the Lord to contend with those who contend against him.
He describes enemies who plot without cause, contrasts their malice with his innocence, and prays that the righteous may rejoice in God’s vindication.
The tone alternates between anguish and confidence in the Lord’s just defence.
Verses, Translation, and Word Notes
1. Iudica, Domine, nocentes me: expugna impugnantes me.
Judge, O Lord, those harming me; fight against those fighting me.
- iudica — iudico, -are, -avi, -atum — judge (2 sg pres. imper.)
- nocentes, -ium (m/f pl) — the harmful, evildoers
- expugna — expugno, -are, -avi, -atum — fight against, overcome (imper.)
- impugno, -are, -avi, -atum — to oppose, attack
2. Apprehende arma et scutum: et exsurge in adiutorium mihi.
Take hold of weapons and a shield, and rise up in help for me.
- apprehende — apprehendo, -ere, -endi, -ensum — seize (imper.)
- arma, -orum (n pl) — arms, weapons
- scutum, -i (n) — shield
- exsurge — exsurgo, -ere, exsurrexi, exsurrectum — arise (imper.)
- adiutorium, -i (n) — help, aid
3. Effunde frameam, et conclude adversus eos qui persequuntur me: dic animae meae, salus tua ego sum.
Draw forth the spear, and shut up the way against those who pursue me; say to my soul, I am your salvation.
- effunde — effundo, -ere, effudi, effusum — pour out, draw forth (imper.)
- framea, -ae (f) — spear, javelin
- conclude — concludo, -ere, conclusi, conclusum — shut, enclose (imper.)
- persequor, -i, -secutus sum — to pursue, persecute
- salus, -utis (f) — salvation
4. Confundantur et revereantur quaerentes animam meam.
Let them be confounded and ashamed who seek my life.
- confundantur — confundo, -ere, confudi, confusum — may be confounded (pres. subj. pass.)
- revereantur — revereor, -eri, reveritus sum — may be ashamed (pres. subj. deponent)
- quaerentes — quaero, -ere, quaesivi, quaesitum — seeking (pres. part.)
- anima, -ae (f) — soul, life
5. Avertantur retrorsum, et confundantur cogitantes mihi mala.
Let them be turned back and confounded who devise evils against me.
- avertantur — averto, -ere, averti, aversum — may be turned away (pres. subj. pass.)
- cogitantes — cogito, -are, -avi, -atum — thinking, devising (pres. part.)
- malum, -i (n) — evil
6. Fiant tamquam pulvis ante faciem venti: et angelus Domini coarctans eos.
Let them become as dust before the face of the wind, and let the angel of the Lord constrain them.
- fiant — fio, fieri, factus sum — may become (pres. subj. pass.)
- pulvis, -eris (m) — dust
- ventus, -i (m) — wind
- coarctans — coarcto, -are, -avi, -atum — pressing together, constraining (pres. part.)
7. Fiat via illorum tenebrosa et lubrica: et angelus Domini persequens eos.
Let their way be dark and slippery, and the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
- via, -ae (f) — way, path
- tenebrosus, -a, -um — dark
- lubricus, -a, -um — slippery
- persequens — persequor — pursuing (pres. part.)
8. Quoniam gratis absconderunt mihi interitum laquei sui: supervacue exprobraverunt animae meae.
For without cause they have hidden for me the destruction of their snare; in vain they have reproached my soul.
- gratis — without cause
- absconderunt — abscondo, -ere, abscondi, absconditum — they hid (perf. ind. act.)
- interitus, -us (m) — destruction
- laqueus, -i (m) — snare, trap
- exprobraverunt — exprobro, -are, -avi, -atum — they reproached (perf. ind. act.)
9. Veniat illis laqueus quem ignorant: et captio quam absconderunt apprehendat eos: et in laqueum cadant in ipsum.
Let the snare which they know not come upon them; and the trap which they hid seize them, and let them fall into that very snare.
- veniat — venio, -ire, veni, ventum — may come (pres. subj. act.)
- captio, -onis (f) — taking, capture, trap
- apprehendat — apprehendo, -ere, -endi, -ensum — may seize (pres. subj. act.)
- cadant — cado, -ere, cecidi, casum — may fall (pres. subj. act.)
10. Anima autem mea exsultabit in Domino: et delectabitur super salutari suo.
But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall delight in His salvation.
- exsultabit — exsulto, -are, -avi, -atum — shall rejoice (fut. ind. act.)
- delectabitur — delector, -ari, -atus sum — shall delight (fut. ind. deponent)
- salutare, -is (n) — salvation, saving power
11. Omnia ossa mea dicent: Domine, quis similis tibi?
All my bones shall say: O Lord, who is like you?
- ossa, -orum (n pl) — bones
- similis, -e — like, similar to (+ dat.)
12. Eripis inopem de manu fortiorum eius, egenum et pauperem a diripientibus eum.
You deliver the poor from the hand of those stronger than he, the needy and poor from those who plunder him.
- eripis — eripio, -ere, eripui, ereptum — you deliver (pres. ind. act.)
- inops, inopis (m/f) — poor, helpless
- egenus, -a, -um — needy
- pauper, -eris (m/f) — poor
- diripio, -ere, diripui, direptum — to plunder, tear away
13. Surrexerunt testes iniqui: quae ignorabam interrogabant me.
False witnesses rose up; they questioned me about things I knew not.
- surrexerunt — surgo, -ere, surrexi, surrectum — they rose (perf. ind. act.)
- testis, -is (m/f) — witness
- interrogabant — interrogo, -are, -avi, -atum — they were asking (impf. ind. act.)
14. Retribuebant mihi mala pro bonis: sterilitatem animae meae.
They repaid me evil for good: the barrenness of my soul.
- retribuebant — retribuo, -ere, tribui, tributum — they repaid (impf. ind. act.)
- sterilitas, -atis (f) — barrenness, desolation
15. Ego autem cum mihi molesti essent, induebar cilicio: humiliabam in ieiunio animam meam.
But I, when they were troublesome to me, clothed myself in sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting.
- molesti essent — molesto, -are — were troublesome (impf. subj. act.)
- induebar — induo, -ere, indui, indutum — I was clothing myself (impf. ind. pass.)
- cilicium, -i (n) — sackcloth
- humiliabam — humilio, -are, -avi, -atum — I was humbling (impf. ind. act.)
- ieiunium, -i (n) — fast, fasting
16. Et oratio mea in sinu meo convertetur.
And my prayer shall return into my bosom.
- oratio, -onis (f) — prayer
- sinus, -us (m) — bosom, heart
- convertetur — converto, -ere, converti, conversum — shall turn back (fut. ind. pass.)
17. Quasi proximum et fratrem nostrum sic complacebam: quasi lugens et contristatus, sic humiliabar.
As a neighbour and brother, so I was well-pleased; as one mourning and sorrowful, so I was humbled.
- complacebam — complaceo, -ere, -ui — I was pleasing (impf. ind. act.)
- lugens — lugeo, -ere, luxi, luctum — mourning (pres. part.)
- contristatus — contristo, -are, -avi, -atum — saddened (perf. part. pass.)
- humiliabar — humilio — I was humbled (impf. ind. pass.)
18. Et adversum me laetati sunt, et convenerunt: congregata sunt super me flagella, et ignoravi.
And against me they rejoiced and gathered together; scourges were collected against me, and I knew it not.
- laetati sunt — laetor, -ari, -atus sum — they rejoiced (perf. ind. deponent)
- convenerunt — convenio, -ire, -i, -ventum — they gathered (perf. ind. act.)
- flagellum, -i (n) — scourge
- ignoravi — ignoro, -are, -avi, -atum — I did not know (perf. ind. act.)
(Psalm 34 continues at length; this section presents vv.1–18 as Part I for study. The remaining verses 19–28 will follow as Part II.)
Study Exercise
Translate into Latin:
- Judge, O Lord, those who harm me.
- Let them be confounded who seek my life.
- The angel of the Lord will pursue them.
- My soul shall rejoice in the Lord.
- They repaid me evil for good.
Answers:
- Iudica, Domine, nocentes me.
- Confundantur quaerentes animam meam.
- Angelus Domini persequetur eos.
- Anima mea exsultabit in Domino.
- Retribuebant mihi mala pro bonis.
Excellent — here is the continuation and completion of Psalm 34 (Vulgate) in the same literal, verse-by-verse Study Format, maintaining grammatical precision and close translation.
Psalmus 34 (Pars II, vv. 19–28)
Iudica, Domine, nocentes me – continued
Summary
The psalmist continues his plea for divine vindication.
Enemies rejoice at his distress and speak deceitfully; yet he prays that those who desire his good may exult in the Lord.
The psalm ends in confident thanksgiving: “Et lingua mea meditabitur iustitiam tuam.”
Verses, Translation, and Word Notes
19. Ne supergaudeant mihi qui adversantur mihi inique: qui oderunt me gratis, et annuunt oculis.
Let not those who wrongfully oppose me rejoice over me — those who hate me without cause and wink with their eyes.
- supergaudeant — supergaudeo, -ere — may rejoice over (pres. subj. act.)
- adversantur — adversor, -ari, -atus sum — oppose, resist (pres. ind. deponent)
- inique — unjustly, wrongfully
- oderunt — odi, odisse — they hate (perf. form with pres. sense)
- annuunt — annuo, -ere, annui — they nod, wink (pres. ind. act.)
20. Quoniam mihi quidem pacifice loquebantur: et in iracundia terrae loquentes dolos cogitabant.
For indeed they spoke peaceably to me, but while speaking deceit, they were plotting wrath upon the earth.
- loquebantur — loquor, loqui, locutus sum — they were speaking (impf. ind. deponent)
- iracundia, -ae (f) — wrath, anger
- dolos — dolus, -i (m) — deceits
- cogitabant — cogito, -are, -avi, -atum — they were thinking, plotting (impf. ind. act.)
21. Et dilataverunt super me os suum: dixerunt, Euge, euge, viderunt oculi nostri.
And they opened wide their mouth against me, saying, “Aha, aha! our eyes have seen!”
- dilataverunt — dilato, -are, -avi, -atum — widened, opened (perf. ind. act.)
- euge — interjection of triumph, “aha!”
- viderunt — video, -ere, vidi, visum — they saw (perf. ind. act.)
22. Vidisti, Domine, ne sileas: Domine, ne discedas a me.
You have seen, O Lord — do not keep silent; O Lord, do not depart from me.
- vidisti — video, -ere, vidi, visum — you have seen (perf. ind. act.)
- sileas — sileo, -ere, silui — may be silent (pres. subj. act.)
- discedas — discedo, -ere, discessi, discessum — may depart (pres. subj. act.)
23. Exsurge et intende iudicio meo, Deus meus, et Dominus meus in causam meam.
Arise and attend to my judgement, my God and my Lord, to my cause.
- exsurge — exsurgo, -ere, exsurrexi, exsurrectum — arise (imper.)
- intende — intendo, -ere, intendi, intentum — pay attention, aim (imper.)
- iudicium, -i (n) — judgement
- causa, -ae (f) — cause, case
24. Iudica me secundum iustitiam tuam, Domine Deus meus, et non supergaudeant mihi.
Judge me according to your justice, O Lord my God, and let them not rejoice over me.
- iudica — iudico, -are, -avi, -atum — judge (imper.)
- secundum (+ acc.) — according to
- supergaudeant — may rejoice over (pres. subj. act.)
25. Non dicant in cordibus suis: Euge, animae nostrae! nec dicant: Devoravimus eum.
Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha! our soul!” nor say, “We have devoured him.”
- dicant — dico, -ere, dixi, dictum — may say (pres. subj. act.)
- anima, -ae (f) — soul
- devoravimus — devoro, -are, -avi, -atum — we have devoured (perf. ind. act.)
26. Erubescant et revereantur simul, qui gratulantur malis meis.
Let them be ashamed and reverent together, who rejoice at my misfortunes.
- erubescant — erubesco, -ere, erubui — may be ashamed (pres. subj. act.)
- revereantur — revereor, -eri, reveritus sum — may feel reverence or shame (pres. subj. deponent)
- gratulantur — gratulator, -ari, -atus sum — rejoice, gloat (pres. ind. deponent)
- malis, -orum (n pl) — evils, misfortunes
27. Induantur confusione et reverentia, qui magna loquuntur super me.
Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, those who speak great things against me.
- induantur — induo, -ere, indui, indutum — may be clothed (pres. subj. pass.)
- confusio, -onis (f) — confusion
- loquuntur — loquor, loqui, locutus sum — speak (pres. ind. deponent)
28. Exsultent et laetentur qui volunt iustitiam meam: et dicant semper: Magnificetur Dominus, qui volunt pacem servi eius.
Let those who will my justice exult and rejoice, and let them always say: “May the Lord be magnified, who desires the peace of His servant.”
- exsultent — exsulto, -are, -avi, -atum — may rejoice (pres. subj. act.)
- volunt — volo, velle, volui — they will, desire (pres. ind. act.)
- magnificetur — magnifico, -are, -avi, -atum — may be magnified (pres. subj. pass.)
- pax, pacis (f) — peace
- servus, -i (m) — servant
29. Et lingua mea meditabitur iustitiam tuam, tota die laudem tuam.
And my tongue shall meditate your justice and your praise all the day long.
- lingua, -ae (f) — tongue
- meditabitur — meditor, -ari, -atus sum — will meditate (fut. ind. deponent)
- iustitia, -ae (f) — justice, righteousness
- laus, laudis (f) — praise
- tota die — all the day
Study Exercise
Translate into Latin:
- Judge me according to your justice, O Lord my God.
- Arise and attend to my cause.
- Let them be ashamed who rejoice at my misfortunes.
- May those who love the peace of His servant say: “May the Lord be magnified.”
- My tongue shall meditate your praise all the day.
Answers:
- Iudica me secundum iustitiam tuam, Domine Deus meus.
- Exsurge et intende causae meae.
- Erubescant qui gratulantur malis meis.
- Dicant: Magnificetur Dominus, qui volunt pacem servi eius.
- Lingua mea meditabitur laudem tuam tota die.