Hebrew numbering (Vulgate Psalm 9:22–39, Gallican Psalter)
📖 Source: Gallican Psalter (Vulgate numbering: Psalm 9:22–39). In the Vulgate, Psalms 9 & 10 in Hebrew are one long psalm; here I follow the Hebrew numbering (Psalm 10), but note the Vulgate equivalence.
- Ut quid, Domine, recessisti longe: despicis in opportunitatibus, in tribulatione?
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away: why do you look on in times of trouble?
Notes:
- ut quid – “why?” (lit. “for what?”).
- recessisti – 2nd sg. perf. ind. of recedo, recedere, recessi, recessum – to withdraw.
- despicis – 2nd sg. pres. ind. of despicio, despicere, despexi, despectum – to look down on, disregard.
- opportunitas, -atis (f.) – occasion, season; here “critical time.”
- tribulatio, -onis (f.) – distress, tribulation.
- Dum superbit impius, incenditur pauper: comprehenduntur in consiliis quibus cogitant.
While the wicked is proud, the poor is inflamed: they are caught in the schemes they devise.
Notes:
- superbit – 3rd sg. pres. ind. of superbio, superbire – to be proud.
- impius, -i (m.) – ungodly one, wicked man.
- incenditur – 3rd sg. pres. pass. ind. of incendo, incendere, incendi, incensum – to be kindled, inflamed.
- comprehenduntur – 3rd pl. pres. pass. ind. of comprehendo – to be caught, seized.
- consilium, -ii (n.) – plan, scheme.
- Quoniam laudatur peccator in desideriis animae suae: et iniquus benedicitur.
For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed.
Notes:
- laudatur – 3rd sg. pres. pass. of laudo – is praised.
- desiderium, -ii (n.) – desire, longing.
- benedicitur – 3rd sg. pres. pass. of benedico – is blessed.
- iniquus, -i (m.) – unjust person.
- Exacerbavit Dominum peccator, secundum multitudinem irae suae non quaeret.
The sinner has provoked the Lord; according to the multitude of his wrath he will not seek him.
Notes:
- exacerbavit – 3rd sg. perf. ind. of exacerbo – to embitter, provoke.
- ira, -ae (f.) – wrath, anger.
- quaeret – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of quaero – he will seek.
- Non est Deus in conspectu eius: inquinatae sunt viae illius in omni tempore.
God is not before his eyes: his ways are defiled at all times.
Notes:
- conspectus, -us (m.) – sight, presence.
- inquinatae sunt – 3rd pl. perf. pass. ind. of inquino – to defile, pollute.
- via, -ae (f.) – way, path, conduct.
- Auferuntur iudicia tua a facie eius: omnium inimicorum suorum dominabitur.
Your judgments are far from his sight: he will rule over all his enemies.
Notes:
- auferuntur – 3rd pl. pres. pass. ind. of aufero – are taken away, removed.
- iudicium, -ii (n.) – judgment.
- dominabitur – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of dominor, dominari, dominatus sum – to rule, dominate.
- Dixit enim in corde suo: Non movebor a generatione in generationem sine malo.
For he said in his heart: I shall not be moved from age to age without harm.
Notes:
- movebor – 1st sg. fut. ind. pass. of moveo – to be moved, shaken.
- generatio, -onis (f.) – generation, age.
- sine malo – without evil/harm.
- Cuius maledictione os plenum est, et amaritudine et dolo: sub lingua eius labor et dolor.
His mouth is full of cursing, bitterness, and deceit: under his tongue are toil and sorrow.
Notes:
- maledictio, -onis (f.) – curse.
- amaritudo, -inis (f.) – bitterness.
- dolus, -i (m.) – deceit.
- labor, -oris (m.) – toil, trouble.
- dolor, -oris (m.) – pain, grief.
- Sedet in insidiis cum divitibus in occultis: ut interficiat innocentem.
He sits in ambush with the rich in secret places: that he may kill the innocent.
Notes:
- sedet – 3rd sg. pres. ind. of sedeo – to sit.
- insidiae, -arum (f. pl.) – ambush, snare.
- divites, -um (m. pl.) – the rich, wealthy.
- occultus, -i (m.) – hiding place.
- interficiat – 3rd sg. pres. subj. of interficio – that he may kill.
- innocens, -entis – innocent, blameless.
- Oculi eius in pauperem respiciunt: insidiatur in abscondito quasi leo in spelunca sua.
His eyes are set upon the poor: he lies in wait in secret, like a lion in his den.
Notes:
- respiciunt – 3rd pl. pres. ind. of respicio – to look upon.
- insidior, insidiari, insidiatus sum – to lie in wait.
- absconditus, -i (m.) – hiding place.
- spelunca, -ae (f.) – cave, den.
- Insidiatur ut rapiat pauperem: rapere pauperem dum attrahit eum.
He lies in wait to seize the poor: to snatch the poor while he draws him in.
Notes:
- rapiat – 3rd sg. pres. subj. of rapio – to seize, snatch.
- attrahit – 3rd sg. pres. ind. of attraho – to drag, draw.
- In laqueo suo humiliabit eum: inclinabit se, et cadet cum dominatus fuerit pauperum.
He will humble him in his snare: he will bow himself down, and the poor shall fall under his power.
Notes:
- humiliabit – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of humilio – to humble.
- inclinabit – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of inclino – to bend, bow down.
- cadet – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of cado – to fall.
- dominatus fuerit – fut. perf. of dominor – when he has ruled.
- Dixit enim in corde suo: Oblitus est Deus, avertit faciem suam, non videbit in finem.
For he said in his heart: God has forgotten, he has turned away his face, he will never see it.
Notes:
- oblitus est – 3rd sg. perf. dep. of obliviscor – to forget.
- avertit – 3rd sg. perf. ind. of averto – to turn away.
- videbit – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of video – to see.
- in finem – to the end, forever.
- Exsurge, Domine Deus, exaltetur manus tua: ne obliviscaris pauperum.
Arise, O Lord God, let your hand be exalted: do not forget the poor.
Notes:
- exsurge – 2nd sg. pres. impv. of exsurgo – arise.
- exaltetur – 3rd sg. pres. subj. pass. of exalto – let it be lifted up.
- obliviscaris – 2nd sg. pres. subj. dep. of obliviscor – to forget.
- Propter quid irritavit impius Deum? dixit enim in corde suo: Non requiret.
Why has the wicked provoked God? for he said in his heart: He will not require it.
Notes:
- irritavit – 3rd sg. perf. ind. of irrito – to provoke.
- requiret – 3rd sg. fut. ind. of requiro – to require, call to account.
- Vides, quoniam tu laborem et dolorem consideras: ut tradas eos in manus tuas.
You see: for you behold toil and sorrow, that you may take them into your hands.
Notes:
- vides – 2nd sg. pres. ind. of video – you see.
- consideras – 2nd sg. pres. ind. of considero – you behold, examine.
- tradas – 2nd sg. pres. subj. of trado – that you may deliver.
- Tibi derelictus est pauper: orphano tu eris adiutor.
The poor is left to you: you will be a helper to the orphan.
Notes:
- derelictus est – 3rd sg. perf. pass. ind. of derelinquo – is left behind, abandoned.
- orphanus, -i (m.) – orphan.
- adiutor, -oris (m.) – helper.
- Contere brachium peccatoris et maligni: quaeretur peccatum illius, et non invenietur.
Break the arm of the sinner and the evil man: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found.
Notes:
- contere – 2nd sg. pres. impv. of contero – to crush, break.
- brachium, -ii (n.) – arm.
- malignus, -i (m.) – evil one.
- quaeretur – 3rd sg. fut. pass. ind. of quaero – it will be sought.
- invenietur – 3rd sg. fut. pass. ind. of invenio – it will be found.