Summary
A meditation on human wickedness and divine mercy.
The psalm contrasts the deceit of the sinner, who flatters himself and plots evil, with the righteousness and steadfast love of God.
It ends with a prayer that the faithful may be protected under the shadow of God’s wings, while the workers of iniquity fall never to rise again.
Verses, Translation, and Word Notes
1. Dixit iniustus ut delinquat in semetipso: non est timor Dei ante oculos eius.
The unjust man has said that he will sin within himself; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
- dixit — dico, -ere, dixi, dictum — he said (perf. ind. act.)
- iniustus, -i (m) — unjust man
- delinquat — delinquo, -ere, deliqui, delictum — may sin, do wrong (pres. subj. act.)
- in semetipso — within himself
- timor, -oris (m) — fear
2. Quoniam dolose egit in conspectu eius: ut inveniatur iniquitas eius ad odium.
For he has dealt deceitfully in his sight, that his iniquity may be found to hate.
- dolose — deceitfully
- egit — ago, -ere, egi, actum — he acted (perf. ind. act.)
- conspectus, -us (m) — sight, presence
- inveniatur — invenio, -ire, -veni, -ventum — may be found (pres. subj. pass.)
- odium, -i (n) — hatred
3. Verba oris eius iniquitas, et dolus: noluit intelligere ut bene ageret.
The words of his mouth (are) iniquity and deceit; he would not understand to do good.
- verba, -orum (n pl) — words
- os, oris (n) — mouth
- noluit — nolo, nolle, nolui — he would not (perf. ind. act.)
- intelligere — intellego, -ere, -lexi, -lectum — to understand (pres. inf. act.)
- bene ageret — ago, -ere, egi, actum — might do well (impf. subj. act.)
4. Iniquitatem meditatus est in cubili suo: astitit omni viae non bonae, malitiam autem non odivit.
He has meditated iniquity on his bed; he has stood in every evil way, but malice he has not hated.
- meditatus est — meditor, -ari, -atus sum — he has meditated (perf. ind. deponent)
- cubile, -is (n) — bed, resting place
- astitit — asto, -are, -stiti — he has stood (perf. ind. act.)
- malitia, -ae (f) — wickedness, malice
- odivit — odi, odisse — he hated (perf. with pres. sense)
5. Domine, in caelo misericordia tua: et veritas tua usque ad nubes.
O Lord, your mercy (is) in heaven, and your truth unto the clouds.
- misericordia, -ae (f) — mercy
- veritas, -atis (f) — truth
- usque ad — even to, up to
- nubes, -is (f) — cloud
6. Iustitia tua sicut montes Dei: iudicia tua abyssus multa.
Your justice (is) like the mountains of God; your judgements (are) a great deep.
- iustitia, -ae (f) — justice
- mons, montis (m) — mountain
- iudicium, -i (n) — judgement
- abyssus, -i (f) — abyss, deep
7. Homines et iumenta salvabis, Domine.
You will save both men and beasts, O Lord.
- homo, hominis (m) — man, human being
- iumentum, -i (n) — beast, draught animal
- salvabis — salvo, -are, -avi, -atum — you will save (fut. ind. act.)
8. Quam pretiosa misericordia tua, Deus! filii autem hominum in tegmine alarum tuarum sperabunt.
How precious is your mercy, O God! but the sons of men will hope in the shelter of your wings.
- pretiosus, -a, -um — precious, costly
- tegmen, -inis (n) — covering, shelter
- ala, -ae (f) — wing
- sperabunt — spero, -are, -avi, -atum — will hope (fut. ind. act.)
9. Inebriabuntur ab ubertate domus tuae: et torrente voluptatis tuae potabis eos.
They shall be filled with the plenty of your house, and you shall give them drink from the torrent of your delight.
- inebriabuntur — inebrio, -are, -avi, -atum — shall be made drunk (fut. ind. pass.)
- ubertas, -atis (f) — richness, abundance
- torrens, -entis (m) — stream, torrent
- voluptas, -atis (f) — delight, pleasure
- potabis — poto, -are, -avi, -atum — you shall give to drink (fut. ind. act.)
10. Quoniam apud te est fons vitae: et in lumine tuo videbimus lumen.
For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we shall see light.
- fons, fontis (m) — fountain, spring
- vita, -ae (f) — life
- lumen, luminis (n) — light
- videbimus — video, -ere, vidi, visum — we shall see (fut. ind. act.)
11. Praetende misericordiam tuam scientibus te, et iustitiam tuam his qui recto sunt corde.
Extend your mercy to those who know you, and your justice to those who are upright in heart.
- praetende — praetendo, -ere, -tendi, -tentum — stretch forth, extend (imper.)
- scientibus — scio, -ire, -ivi, -itum — knowing (dat. pl. part.)
- rectus, -a, -um — straight, upright
- cor, cordis (n) — heart
12. Non veniat mihi pes superbiae: et manus peccatoris non moveat me.
Let not the foot of pride come to me, and let not the hand of the sinner move me.
- veniat — venio, -ire, veni, ventum — may come (pres. subj. act.)
- pes, pedis (m) — foot
- superbia, -ae (f) — pride
- moveat — moveo, -ere, movi, motum — may move, shake (pres. subj. act.)
13. Ibi ceciderunt qui operantur iniquitatem: expulsi sunt, nec potuerunt stare.
There have fallen those who work iniquity; they have been cast down and could not stand.
- ceciderunt — cado, -ere, cecidi, casum — they fell (perf. ind. act.)
- operantur — operor, -ari, -atus sum — they work (pres. ind. deponent)
- expulsi sunt — expello, -ere, expuli, expulsum — they were driven out (perf. ind. pass.)
- potuerunt — possum, posse, potui — they were able (perf. ind. act.)
Study Exercise
Translate into Latin:
- Your mercy, O Lord, is in heaven.
- In your light we shall see light.
- Let not the foot of pride come to me.
- Those who work iniquity have fallen.
- Extend your mercy to those who know you.
Answers:
- Domine, in caelo misericordia tua.
- In lumine tuo videbimus lumen.
- Non veniat mihi pes superbiae.
- Ceciderunt qui operantur iniquitatem.
- Praetende misericordiam tuam scientibus te.