Quemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum
(As the deer longs for the fountains of water)
Summary
A psalm of deep longing — the soul thirsts for God as the deer for water.
Outwardly it is a prayer of exile and spiritual desolation; inwardly it speaks of the mind’s thirst for renewal, the search for the source of life itself.
It suggests that the fountains we seek lie not in distant places but within, where stillness restores what the world has wearied.
Verse 1
Quemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus.
As the deer longs for the fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Word notes
- quemadmodum = as, just as
- desiderat — desidero, desiderare, desideravi, desideratum (1st) = to desire, long for
- cervus, cervi (m.) = deer, stag
- fons, fontis (m.) = spring, fountain
- aqua, aquae (f.) = water
- anima, animae (f.) = soul, life
- Deus, Dei (m.) = God
Verse 2
Sitivit anima mea ad Deum fortem vivum; quando veniam et apparebo ante faciem Dei?
My soul has thirsted for the strong and living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
Word notes
- sitivit — sitiō, sitīre, sitīvī, sitītum (4th) = to thirst; perfect
- fortis, forte = strong, mighty
- vivus, -a, -um = living
- veniam — venio, venire, veni, ventum (4th) = to come; future or subjunctive tone
- apparebo — appareo, apparere, apparui, apparitum (2nd) = to appear; future
- facies, faciei (f.) = face, presence
Verse 3
Fuerunt mihi lacrimae meae panes die ac nocte, dum dicitur mihi quotidie: Ubi est Deus tuus?
My tears have been my bread day and night, while it is said to me daily: Where is your God?
Word notes
- lacrima, lacrimae (f.) = tear
- panis, panis (m.) = bread
- dico, dicere, dixi, dictum (3rd) = to say
- ubī est Deus tuus = “Where is your God?” — the taunt of doubt or despair
Verse 4
Haec recordatus sum, et effudi in me animam meam: quoniam transibo in locum tabernaculi admirabilis usque ad domum Dei.
These things I remembered, and I poured out my soul within me: for I shall go into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God.
Word notes
- recordatus sum — recordor, recordari, recordatus sum (1st dep.) = to remember
- effudi — effundo, effundere, effudi, effusum (3rd) = to pour out
- transibo — transeo, transire, transii, transitum (irreg.) = to pass over, go across
- tabernaculum, -i (n.) = tent, dwelling
- domus, domūs (f.) = house
Verse 5
In voce exsultationis et confessionis sonus epulantis.
With the voice of joy and praise, the sound of one keeping festival.
Word notes
- vox, vocis (f.) = voice
- exsultatio, -onis (f.) = rejoicing, exultation
- confessio, -onis (f.) = praise, confession
- epulor, epulari, epulatus sum (1st dep.) = to feast, rejoice
Verse 6
Quare tristis es, anima mea, et quare conturbas me? Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi: salutare vultus mei et Deus meus.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why do you trouble me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise him: the salvation of my countenance and my God.
Word notes
- tristis, triste = sad
- conturbas — conturbo, conturbare, conturbavi, conturbatum (1st) = to trouble, disturb
- spera — spero, sperare, speravi, speratum (1st) = hope; imperative
- confitebor — confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum (2nd dep.) = to confess, praise; future
- salutare, salutaris (n.) = salvation, deliverance
- vultus, vultus (m.) = face, countenance
Study Exercise
I. Translate into Latin
- As the deer longs for the fountains of water.
- My soul thirsts for the living God.
- My tears have been my bread day and night.
- Why are you cast down, O my soul?
- Hope in God, for I will yet praise him.
II. Translate into English
- Quemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum.
- Sitivit anima mea ad Deum vivum.
- Haec recordatus sum, et effudi in me animam meam.
- Quare tristis es, anima mea?
- Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi.
III. Word Forms
| Latin verb | Meaning | Tense | Mood | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| desiderat | longs for | present | indicative | 1st |
| sitivit | thirsted | perfect | indicative | 4th |
| effudi | poured out | perfect | indicative | 3rd |
| conturbas | disturb | present | indicative | 1st |
| confitebor | I will praise | future | indicative | 2nd (dep.) |
Answer Key
I. Latin Translations
- Quemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum.
- Sitivit anima mea ad Deum vivum.
- Fuerunt mihi lacrimae meae panes die ac nocte.
- Quare tristis es, anima mea?
- Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi.
II. English Translations
- As the deer longs for the fountains of water.
- My soul thirsts for the living God.
- My tears have been my bread day and night.
- Why are you cast down, O my soul?
- Hope in God, for I will yet praise him.
Reflection
The psalmist’s longing is both outward and inward. To seek “the living God” is to search for the spring of life itself — the source from which renewal and understanding flow. What feels like exile becomes the beginning of return: the rediscovery of that well of strength and clarity already present within.