(Vulgate numbering; corresponds to Psalm 44 in most English Bibles)
1. Introduction
This psalm is a national lament — a collective cry of Israel recalling God’s past victories and asking why He now seems silent. It contrasts the triumphs of old with present humiliation, and yet ends in faith.
Setting: Possibly written after a military defeat, when Israel felt abandoned.
Tone: Sorrowful yet trusting.
Themes:
- Memory of divine deliverance
- Contrast between past and present
- Faith under persecution
Structure:
- Remembrance of past victories (vv. 1–9)
- Description of present distress (vv. 10–17)
- Appeal for divine intervention (vv. 18–27)
2. Study Format
Verse 1
Latin:
Deus, auribus nostris audivimus, patres nostri annuntiaverunt nobis, opus quod operatus es in diebus eorum, et in diebus antiquis.
Literal English:
O God, with our ears we have heard, our fathers have told us, the work that thou hast wrought in their days, in the days of old.
Word Notes:
- auris, auris (f.) — ear.
- audio, audire, audivi, auditum — hear.
- annuntio, annuntiare, annuntiavi, annuntiatum — announce, declare.
- opus, operis (n.) — work, deed.
- operatus es — perfect (deponent) of operor, operari — work, perform.
- antiquus, -a, -um — ancient, of old.
Verse 2
Latin:
Manu tua gentes disperdidisti, et plantasti eos; afflixisti populos, et expulisti eos.
Literal English:
With thy hand thou didst destroy the nations, and plant them; thou didst afflict peoples, and cast them out.
Word Notes:
- manus, manus (f.) — hand.
- disperdo, disperdere, disperdidi, disperditum — destroy.
- planto, plantare, plantavi, plantatum — plant, establish.
- affligo, affligere, afflixi, afflictum — strike, afflict.
- expello, expellere, expuli, expulsum — drive out, expel.
Verse 3
Latin:
Nec enim in gladio suo possederunt terram, et brachium eorum non salvavit eos; sed dextera tua, et brachium tuum, et illuminatio vultus tui, quoniam complacuisti in eis.
Literal English:
For not by their sword did they possess the land, nor did their arm save them; but thy right hand, and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou wert pleased with them.
Word Notes:
- gladius, gladii (m.) — sword.
- possideo, possidere, possedi, possessum — possess.
- brachium, brachii (n.) — arm.
- dextera, dexterae (f.) — right hand.
- illuminatio, illuminationis (f.) — light, radiance.
- vultus, vultus (m.) — face, countenance.
- complaceo, complacere, complacui — take pleasure in.
Verse 4
Latin:
Tu es ipse rex meus et Deus meus, qui mandas salutes Iacob.
Literal English:
Thou thyself art my king and my God, who commandest the salvation of Jacob.
Word Notes:
- ipse — emphatic “thyself.”
- rex, regis (m.) — king.
- salus, salutis (f.) — salvation.
- mando, mandare, mandavi, mandatum — command, order.
Verse 5
Latin:
In te inimicos nostros ventilabimus cornu, et in nomine tuo spernemus insurgentes in nobis.
Literal English:
Through thee we shall strike down our enemies; and in thy name we shall despise those who rise against us.
Word Notes:
- inimicus, -i (m.) — enemy.
- ventilo, ventilare, ventilavi, ventilatum — fan, scatter, drive.
- cornu, cornus (n.) — horn, symbol of strength.
- sperno, spernere, sprevi, spretum — despise, reject.
- insurgo, insurgere, insurrexi, insurrectum — rise up.
Verse 6
Latin:
Non enim in arcu meo sperabo, et gladius meus non salvabit me.
Literal English:
For I will not trust in my bow, and my sword shall not save me.
Word Notes:
- arcus, arcus (m.) — bow.
- spero, sperare, speravi, speratum — hope, trust.
- salvo, salvare, salvavi, salvatum — save, preserve.
Verse 7
Latin:
Salvasti enim nos de affligentibus nos, et odientes nos confudisti.
Literal English:
For thou hast saved us from those who afflicted us, and put to shame those who hated us.
Word Notes:
- salvo — as above, save.
- affligo — strike, afflict.
- odio, odisse (defective) — to hate.
- confundo, confundere, confudi, confusum — confound, put to shame.
Verse 8
Latin:
In Deo laudabimur tota die, et in nomine tuo confitebimur in saecula.
Literal English:
In God we shall be praised all the day long, and in thy name we shall give thanks forever.
Word Notes:
- laudor, laudari — passive of laudo, to praise.
- confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum — to praise, confess.
- saeculum, saeculi (n.) — age, world, eternity.
Verse 9
Latin:
Nunc autem repulisti et confudisti nos, et non egredieris, Deus, in virtutibus nostris.
Literal English:
But now thou hast rejected and confounded us, and thou goest not forth, O God, with our armies.
Word Notes:
- nunc autem — “but now,” contrastive.
- repello, repellere, reppuli, repulsum — drive back, reject.
- virtutes — here “forces” or “armies.”
(Verses 10–27 continue the lament, which you may wish to add later; this first section covers the historical recollection and transition to lament.)
3. Exercises
1️⃣ Translation:
Translate verses 2–3 into Latin from the English below:
“With thy hand thou didst destroy the nations and plant them; thou didst afflict peoples and cast them out.”
2️⃣ Grammar Practice:
- Parse complacuisti and repulisti.
- Identify all the perfect tense verbs in verses 1–7.
- Explain why in Deo laudabimur tota die uses the future passive rather than present.
3️⃣ Composition:
Write a short Latin sentence using inimicus, spero, and salus.
4️⃣ Vocabulary Matching:
(a) brachium —
(b) cornu —
(c) repulisti —
(d) illuminatio —
(e) saeculum —
4. Final Comments
Psalm 43/44 represents the collective cry of a faithful people who cannot reconcile their suffering with their faith. It echoes the perplexity of many believers: why do the righteous suffer while the wicked triumph?
Its theological importance lies in its honest protest — faith that argues, laments, and yet endures. In Christian interpretation, it prefigures the suffering of Christ and the Church persecuted in the world.
The psalm’s rhythm alternates between memory and mourning, but the refrain in Deo laudabimur tota die (“in God we shall be praised all the day”) transforms sorrow into hope — the essence of biblical faith.
Excellent. Here is the second half of Psalm 43 (Vulgate numbering; English Psalm 44) — verses 10–27 — in full Study Format, completing the psalm you’ve begun.
Psalm 43 – Deus, auribus nostris audivimus (continued)
Verses 10–27
Verse 10
Latin:
Avertisti nos retrorsum post inimicos nostros, et qui oderunt nos diripiebant sibi.
Literal English:
Thou hast turned us back behind our enemies, and those who hated us plundered us for themselves.
Word Notes:
- averto, avertere, averti, aversum — turn away.
- retrorsum — backward.
- diripio, diripere, diripui, direptum — plunder, seize.
- sibi — for themselves (dative of advantage).
Verse 11
Latin:
Dedisti nos tamquam oves escarum, et in gentibus dispersisti nos.
Literal English:
Thou hast given us as sheep for food, and hast scattered us among the nations.
Word Notes:
- do, dare, dedi, datum — give.
- ovis, ovis (f.) — sheep.
- esca, escae (f.) — food, prey.
- dispergo, dispergere, dispersi, dispersum — scatter, disperse.
Verse 12
Latin:
Vendidisti populum tuum sine pretio, et non fuit multitudo in commutationibus eorum.
Literal English:
Thou hast sold thy people for nothing, and there was no gain in their exchange.
Word Notes:
- vendo, vendere, vendidi, venditum — sell.
- sine pretio — without price.
- commutatio, commutationis (f.) — exchange, trade, profit.
- multitudo — abundance, profit (metaphorically).
Verse 13
Latin:
Posuisti nos opprobrium vicinis nostris, subsannationem et derisum his qui sunt in circuitu nostro.
Literal English:
Thou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours, a mockery and derision to those around us.
Word Notes:
- opprobrium, opprobrii (n.) — reproach, shame.
- vicinus, -i (m.) — neighbour.
- subsannatio, subsannationis (f.) — mockery, sneer.
- derisus, derisus (m.) — ridicule.
Verse 14
Latin:
Posuisti nos in similitudinem gentibus, commotionem capitis in populis.
Literal English:
Thou hast made us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
Word Notes:
- similitudo, similitudinis (f.) — likeness, comparison.
- commotio capitis — shaking of the head, gesture of contempt.
Verse 15
Latin:
Tota die verecundia mea contra me est, et confusio faciei meae cooperuit me.
Literal English:
All the day my shame is before me, and the confusion of my face has covered me.
Word Notes:
- verecundia, verecundiae (f.) — shame, modesty.
- confusio, confusionis (f.) — confusion, disgrace.
- cooperio, cooperire, cooperui, coopertum — cover.
Verse 16
Latin:
A voce exprobrantis et obloquentis, a facie inimici et persequentis.
Literal English:
Because of the voice of him that reproaches and blasphemes, because of the face of the enemy and the persecutor.
Word Notes:
- exprobrans, -antis (part.) — reproaching, taunting.
- obloquor, obloqui, oblocutus sum — speak against, blaspheme.
- persequor, persequi, persecutus sum — pursue, persecute.
Verse 17
Latin:
Haec omnia venerunt super nos, nec obliti sumus te, et inique non egimus in testamento tuo.
Literal English:
All these things have come upon us, yet we have not forgotten thee, nor have we dealt unjustly in thy covenant.
Word Notes:
- venio, venire, veni, ventum — come.
- obliviscor, oblivisci, oblitus sum — forget.
- inique — unjustly, wickedly.
- testamentum, testamenti (n.) — covenant.
Verse 18
Latin:
Et non recessit retro cor nostrum, et declinasti semitas nostras a via tua.
Literal English:
And our heart has not turned back, and thou hast turned aside our paths from thy way.
Word Notes:
- recedo, recedere, recessi, recessum — go back, withdraw.
- cor, cordis (n.) — heart.
- declino, declinare, declinavi, declinatum — turn aside.
- semita, semitae (f.) — path.
Verse 19
Latin:
Quoniam humiliasti nos in loco afflictionis, et cooperuit nos umbra mortis.
Literal English:
Because thou hast humbled us in the place of affliction, and the shadow of death has covered us.
Word Notes:
- humilio, humiliare, humiliavi, humiliatum — humble.
- afflictio, afflictionis (f.) — distress, suffering.
- umbra mortis — shadow of death (poetic image of extreme danger).
Verse 20
Latin:
Si obliti sumus nomen Dei nostri, et si expandimus manus nostras ad deum alienum,
Literal English:
If we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have stretched out our hands to a strange god,
Word Notes:
- nomen, nominis (n.) — name.
- expando, expandere, expandi, expansum — spread out, stretch forth.
- deus alienus — foreign god, idol.
Verse 21
Latin:
Nonne Deus requiret ista? ipse enim novit abscondita cordis.
Literal English:
Shall not God search out these things? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Word Notes:
- requiro, requirere, requisivi, requisitum — seek out, investigate.
- absconditus, -a, -um — hidden, secret.
Verse 22
Latin:
Quoniam propter te mortificamur tota die; aestimati sumus sicut oves occisionis.
Literal English:
For for thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are reckoned as sheep for the slaughter.
Word Notes:
- mortifico, mortificare, mortificavi, mortificatum — put to death.
- aestimo, aestimare, aestimavi, aestimatum — regard, consider.
- occisio, occisionis (f.) — slaughter, killing.
Verse 23
Latin:
Exsurge, quare obdormis, Domine? exsurge, et ne repellas in finem.
Literal English:
Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, and cast us not off forever.
Word Notes:
- exsurgo, exsurgere, exsurrexi, exsurrectum — rise up.
- obdormio, obdormire, obdormivi, obdormitum — sleep.
- repello, repellere, reppuli, repulsum — drive away, reject.
- in finem — unto the end, forever.
Verse 24
Latin:
Quare faciem tuam avertis, oblivisceris tribulationem nostram et oppressionem nostram?
Literal English:
Why dost thou turn away thy face, and forget our trouble and our oppression?
Word Notes:
- averto — turn away.
- tribulatio, tribulationis (f.) — affliction, distress.
- oppressio, oppressionis (f.) — oppression, crushing.
Verse 25
Latin:
Quoniam humiliata est in pulvere anima nostra; conglutinatus est in terra venter noster.
Literal English:
For our soul is humbled down to the dust; our belly cleaves to the earth.
Word Notes:
- pulvis, pulveris (m.) — dust.
- conglutino, conglutinare, conglutinavi, conglutinatum — glue together, stick fast.
- venter, ventris (m.) — belly.
Verse 26
Latin:
Exsurge, Domine, adiuva nos, et redime nos propter nomen tuum.
Literal English:
Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for thy name’s sake.
Word Notes:
- adiuvo, adiuvare, adiuvi, adiutum — help, aid.
- redimo, redimere, redemi, redemptum — redeem, buy back.
- propter nomen tuum — for the sake of thy name (motif of divine honour).
3. Exercises
1️⃣ Translation:
Translate verses 23–26 into Latin from memory using the English cues:
“Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for thy name’s sake.”
2️⃣ Grammar Practice:
- Identify all perfect participles (e.g., aversus, dispersus, coopertus).
- Parse mortificamur and requirit.
- Explain the subjunctive condition in verse 20 (si obliti sumus … si expandimus).
3️⃣ Composition:
Write two sentences using adiuvo, redimo, and obliviscor.
4️⃣ Vocabulary Matching:
(a) afflictio —
(b) opprobrium —
(c) aestimo —
(d) pulvis —
(e) requiro —
4. Final Comments
The psalm’s closing cry — Exsurge, Domine, adiuva nos — stands among the most moving pleas in Scripture.
It articulates the paradox of faith amid defeat: God’s people suffer though innocent, remain faithful though abandoned, and appeal not to merit but to God’s nomen, His honour.
In Christian usage, verse 22 (propter te mortificamur tota die) is quoted by St Paul in Romans 8:36, interpreting the psalm as a prophecy of believers’ suffering for Christ.
The psalm thus joins lament, protest, and faith into one act of devotion. It shows that faith does not deny despair but transforms it into prayer.