Expectans expectavi Dominum
(Thanksgiving for deliverance and the will of obedience)
Summary:
The psalmist gives thanks for being lifted from the pit of misery, declares that true worship is obedience rather than sacrifice, and proclaims God’s righteousness. Though surrounded by evils, he trusts wholly in the Lord.
Verse 1
Expectans expectavi Dominum, et intendit mihi.
Waiting I waited for the Lord, and He turned His ear to me.
Word notes:
- expectans expectavi — exspecto, exspectare, exspectavi, exspectatum (1st) = to wait for. Hebraic repetition for emphasis (“I waited earnestly”).
- intendo, intendere, intendi, intentum (3rd) = to stretch toward, attend to. Perfect active.
Verse 2
Et exaudivit preces meas, et eduxit me de lacum miseriae et de luto faecis.
And He heard my prayers and brought me out of the pit of misery and from the mire of filth.
Word notes:
- exaudivit — exaudi, exaudire, exaudivi, exauditum (4th) = to hear favourably. Perfect.
- educo, educere, eduxi, eductum (3rd) = to lead out. Perfect.
- lacus, lacus (m.) = pit, hollow.
- lutum, luti (n.) = mud, clay.
- faex, faecis (f.) = dregs, filth.
Verse 3
Et statuit super petram pedes meos, et direxit gressus meos.
And He set my feet upon a rock and guided my steps.
Word notes:
- statuit — statuo, statuere, statui, statutum (3rd) = to set, establish.
- petra, petrae (f.) = rock.
- pes, pedis (m.) = foot.
- dirigo, dirigere, direxi, directum (3rd) = to direct, make straight.
- gressus, gressus (m.) = step, stride.
Verse 4
Et immisit in os meum canticum novum, carmen Deo nostro.
And He put into my mouth a new song, a hymn to our God.
Word notes:
- immisit — immitto, immittere, immisi, immissum (3rd) = to send in, put into. Perfect.
- os, oris (n.) = mouth.
- canticum, cantici (n.) = song.
- carmen, carminis (n.) = poem, song.
Verse 5
Videbunt multi et timebunt, et sperabunt in Domino.
Many shall see and fear, and shall hope in the Lord.
Word notes:
- videbunt — video, videre, vidi, visum (2nd) = to see. Future.
- timebunt — timeo, timere, timui (2nd) = to fear. Future.
- sperabunt — spero, sperare, speravi, speratum (1st) = to hope. Future.
Verse 6
Beatus vir cujus est nomen Domini spes ejus.
Blessed is the man whose hope is the name of the Lord.
Word notes:
- beatus, -a, -um = blessed, happy.
- cujus = whose.
- spes, spei (f.) = hope.
- nomen, nominis (n.) = name.
Verse 7
Et non respexit in vanitates et insanias falsas.
And who has not turned to vanities and false madnesses.
Word notes:
- respexit — respicio, respicere, respexi, respectum (3rd) = to look toward. Perfect.
- vanitas, vanitatis (f.) = emptiness, idolatry.
- insania, insaniae (f.) = madness, folly.
- falsus, -a, -um = false.
Verse 8
Multiplicasti tu, Domine Deus meus, mirabilia tua, et cogitationes tuas mihi.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wonders and your thoughts toward me.
Word notes:
- multiplicasti — multiplico, multiplicare, multiplicavi, multiplicatum (1st) = to increase. Perfect.
- mirabile, mirabilis (n./adj.) = wonder, marvel.
- cogitatio, cogitationis (f.) = thought.
Verse 9
Sacrificium et oblationem noluisti; aurem perfecisti mihi.
Sacrifice and offering you have not desired; you have opened my ear.
Word notes:
- sacrificium, sacrificii (n.) = sacrifice.
- oblatio, oblationis (f.) = offering.
- noluisti — nolo, nolle, nolui (irreg.) = to be unwilling. Perfect.
- auris, auris (f.) = ear.
- perfecisti — perficio, perficere, perfeci, perfectum (3rd) = to make complete, open (= obedient). Perfect.
Verse 10
Holocaustum et pro peccato non postulasti; tunc dixi: Ecce venio.
Burnt offering and for sin you did not require; then I said, Behold, I come.
Word notes:
- holocaustum, holocausti (n.) = burnt offering.
- postulasti — postulo, postulare, postulavi, postulatum (1st) = to demand, require. Perfect.
- ecce = behold.
- venio, venire, veni, ventum (4th) = to come. Present indic.
Verse 11
In capite libri scriptum est de me ut faciam voluntatem tuam, Deus meus.
In the scroll of the book it is written of me that I should do your will, O my God.
Word notes:
- caput, capitis (n.) = head, beginning.
- liber, libri (m.) = book.
- scriptum est — scribo, scribere, scripsi, scriptum (3rd) = to write. Perfect passive.
- voluntas, voluntatis (f.) = will, wish.
- faciam — facio, facere (3rd) = to do. Present subjunctive.
Verse 12
Volui, et legem tuam in medio cordis mei.
I have delighted to do it, and your law is within my heart.
Word notes:
- volui — volo, velle, volui (irreg.) = to will, desire. Perfect.
- lex, legis (f.) = law.
- cor, cordis (n.) = heart.
- medium, medii (n.) = midst, centre.
Verse 13
Annuntiavi justitiam tuam in ecclesia magna; ecce labiis meis non prohibebo.
I have proclaimed your righteousness in the great assembly; see, I will not restrain my lips.
Word notes:
- annuntio, annuntiare, annuntiavi, annuntiatum (1st) = to declare.
- justitia, justitiae (f.) = righteousness.
- ecclesia, ecclesiae (f.) = assembly, congregation.
- prohibebo — prohibeo, prohibere, prohibui, prohibitum (2nd) = to hold back. Future.
Verse 14
Non abscondi justitiam tuam in corde meo; veritatem tuam et salutare tuum dixi.
I have not hidden your righteousness in my heart; I have spoken your truth and your salvation.
Word notes:
- abscondi — abscondo, abscondere, abscondi, absconditum (3rd) = to hide. Perfect.
- veritas, veritatis (f.) = truth.
- salutare, salutaris (n.) = salvation (as noun from salus).
- dixi — dico (3rd) = to say. Perfect.
Verse 15
Non abscondi misericordiam tuam et veritatem tuam a consilio multorum.
I have not concealed your mercy and truth from the great council of men.
Word notes:
- misericordia, misericordiae (f.) = mercy.
- consilium, consilii (n.) = assembly, counsel.
- multus, -a, -um = many.
Verse 16
Tu autem, Domine, ne longe facias miserationes tuas a me; misericordia tua et veritas tua semper susceperunt me.
But you, O Lord, do not remove your mercies far from me; your mercy and truth always have upheld me.
Word notes:
- longe facias — facio, facere (3rd) = to make far away, remove. Present subjunctive.
- susceperunt — suscipio, suscipere, suscepi, susceptum (3rd) = to support, sustain. Perfect.
Verse 17
Quoniam circumdederunt me mala innumerabilia; comprehenderunt me iniquitates meae.
For innumerable evils have surrounded me; my sins have seized me.
Word notes:
- circumdo, circumdare, circumdedi, circumdatum (1st) = to surround. Perfect.
- innumerabilis, -e = countless.
- comprehendo, comprehendere, comprehendi, comprehensum (3rd) = to grasp, seize. Perfect.
Verse 18
Non potui ut viderem; multiplicatae sunt super capillos capitis mei.
I could not look up; they have multiplied more than the hairs of my head.
Word notes:
- potui — possum, posse, potui (irreg.) = to be able. Perfect.
- multiplicatae sunt — multiplico (1st) = to increase. Perfect passive.
- capillus, capilli (m.) = hair.
- caput, capitis (n.) = head.
Verse 19
Complacet Domine, ut eripias me; Domine, ad adiuvandum me respice.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; Lord, look to my help.
Word notes:
- complacet — complaceo, complacere, complacui (2nd) = it pleases. Present impersonal.
- eripio, eripere, eripui, ereptum (3rd) = to snatch away, deliver. Subjunctive of wish (ut eripias).
- respice — respicio (3rd) = look upon. Imperative.
Verse 20
Confundantur et revereantur simul qui quaerunt animam meam auferre eam.
Let them be confounded and ashamed together that seek my life to take it away.
Word notes:
- confundantur — confundo, confundere, confudi, confusum (3rd) = to confound. Present subjunctive (passive).
- revereantur — revereor, revereri, reveritus sum (2nd dep.) = to feel shame or awe. Present subjunctive.
- auferre — aufero, auferre, abstuli, ablatum (irreg.) = to take away. Infinitive.
Verse 21
Convertantur statim erubescentes qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge.
Let those who say to
me “Well done! Well done!” be turned back in shame.
Word notes:
- convertantur — converto, convertere, converti, conversum (3rd) = to turn back. Subjunctive passive.
- erubesco, erubescere, erubui (3rd) = to blush, be ashamed. Present subjunctive.
- euge! = well done!, bravo! (ironically here).
Verse 22
Exsultent et laetentur super te omnes quaerentes te, et dicant semper: Magnificetur Dominus.
Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you, and ever say: Let the Lord be magnified.
Word notes:
- exsulto, exsultare (1st) = to rejoice greatly.
- laetor, laetari, laetatus sum (1st dep.) = to rejoice.
- magnificetur — magnifico, magnificare (1st) = to magnify. Present subjunctive passive.
Verse 23
Ego autem mendicus sum et pauper; Dominus sollicitus est mei.
But I am poor and needy; the Lord takes thought for me.
Word notes:
- mendicus, mendici (m.) = beggar, needy one.
- pauper, pauperis (adj.) = poor.
- sollicitus est — sollicito, sollicitare, sollicitavi, sollicitatum (1st) = to be concerned. Perfect passive form with active sense.
Verse 24
Adjutor meus et protector meus tu es; Deus meus, ne tardaveris.
You are my helper and protector; O my God, do not delay.
Word notes:
- adjutor, adjutoris (m.) = helper.
- protector, protectoris (m.) = protector, defender.
- tardaveris — tardo, tardare, tardavi, tardatum (1st) = to delay. Perfect subjunctive (jussive).
Study Exercise
I. Translate into Latin
- I waited patiently for the Lord.
- He set my feet upon a rock.
- Many shall see and fear.
- I have proclaimed your righteousness.
- You are my helper and my protector.
II. Translate into English
- Expectans expectavi Dominum, et intendit mihi.
- Et statuit super petram pedes meos.
- Videbunt multi et timebunt.
- Annuntiavi justitiam tuam in ecclesia magna.
- Adjutor meus et protector meus tu es.
III. Word Forms
| Latin verb | Meaning | Tense | Mood | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| exaudivit | he heard | perfect | indicative | 4th |
| respexit | he looked toward | perfect | indicative | 3rd |
| prohibebo | I shall restrain | future | indicative | 2nd |
| susceperunt | they have upheld | perfect | indicative | 3rd |
| magnificetur | may be magnified | present | subjunctive (passive) | 1st |
Answer Key
I. Latin Translations
- Expectans expectavi Dominum.
- Et statuit super petram pedes meos.
- Videbunt multi et timebunt.
- Annuntiavi justitiam tuam.
- Adjutor meus et protector meus es.
II. English Translations
- I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me.
- He set my feet upon a rock.
- Many shall see and fear.
- I have proclaimed your righteousness.
- You are my helper and my protector.