(= Psalm 101 in Hebrew numbering)
Misericordiam et judicium cantabo
A psalm of ethical resolve, inner discipline, and the formation of a pure heart.
No truncation required.
Versus 1
Misericordiam et judicium cantabo tibi, Domine;
psallam et intelligam in via immaculata, quando venies ad me.
I will sing of mercy and judgment to you, O Lord;
I will play and ponder the blameless way: when will you come to me?
Word Notes
- misericordia, -ae f. – mercy
- judicium, -ii n. – judgment, justice
- psallo – psallere – to play, sing
- intellego – intelligere – intellexi – intellectum – to understand
- via immaculata – the unstained, perfect path
Versus 2 — including the Gallican reading
Erudiar in via perfecta; quando venies ad me?
Perambulabam in innocentia cordis mei, in medio domus meae.
I will be instructed in the perfect way; when will you come to me?
I walked in the innocence of my heart, within my own house.
Word Notes
- erudio – erudire – erudivi – eruditum – to instruct, train
- via perfecta – the perfect path
- perambulo – perambulare – to walk about
- innocentia, -ae f. – innocence
- domus, -us/-i f. – house, household; fig. inner life
Textual Note
“Erudiar in via perfecta” is preserved in the Gallican Psalter and many medieval manuscripts but omitted in the Clementine text. Its inclusion emphasises moral formation and readiness for the divine presence.
Versus 3
Non proponebam ante oculos meos rem injustam;
facientes praevaricationes oderam.
I placed no wicked thing before my eyes;
I hated those who committed transgressions.
Word Notes
- propono – proponere – to set before
- praevaricatio, -onis f. – transgression
- odi – odisse (defective) – to hate
Versus 4
Non adhaesit mihi cor pravum;
declinantem a me malignum non cognoscebam.
A crooked heart did not cling to me;
the evildoer who turned aside from me I did not acknowledge.
Word Notes
- adhaereo – adhaerere – to cling
- pravus, -a, -um – crooked, perverse
- cognosco – cognoscere – to know, recognise
Versus 5
Detrahentem secreto proximo suo, hunc persequebar;
superbo oculo et insatiabili corde, hunc non edebam.
The one who slandered his neighbour in secret—I drove him away;
the proud of eye and greedy of heart—I would not endure.
Word Notes
- detraho – detrahere – to slander, detract
- superbus, -a, -um – proud
- insatiabilis, -e – insatiable, greedy
- edo – edere – to endure, tolerate
Versus 6
Oculi mei ad fideles terrae, ut sedeant mecum;
ambulans in via immaculata hic mihi ministrabat.
My eyes were upon the faithful of the land, that they might dwell with me;
the one who walked in the blameless way—he served me.
Word Notes
- fidelis, -e – faithful, trustworthy
- ministro – ministrare – to serve
Versus 7
Non habitabat in medio domus meae qui faciebat superbiam;
qui loquebatur iniqua, non direxit in conspectu oculorum meorum.
He who practised pride did not dwell in my house;
the one who spoke unjust things did not stand firm before my eyes.
Word Notes
- superbia, -ae f. – pride
- iniquus, -a, -um – unjust
- dirigo – dirigere – to set straight, stand firm
Versus 8
In matutino interficiebam omnes peccatores terrae,
ut disperderem de civitate Domini omnes operantes iniquitatem.
Each morning I cut off all the sinners of the land,
to destroy from the city of the Lord all who work iniquity.
Word Notes
- interficio – interficere – interfeci – interfectum – to cut off, remove
- disperdo – disperdere – to root out, destroy
- civitas Domini – the Lord’s city; symbol of the ordered inner self
Summary Commentary
1. A song of mercy and judgment
The psalmist vows to unite two forces often kept apart:
compassion (misericordia) and clear moral judgement (judicium).
This is the beginning of ethical self-formation.
2. Instruction in the perfect way
The inclusion of erudiar in via perfecta emphasises the psalm as a moment of inner training.
The soul learns how to walk the blameless path.
3. The “house” as the inner life
When the psalm speaks of the “house,” it describes the soul’s internal order:
a dwelling-place to be cleansed, curated, protected.
4. Removal of destructive voices
Slander, pride, duplicity — these are archetypal distortions of the inner life.
To expel them is a daily discipline (“in matutino”).
5. Establishing the inner kingdom
The faithful dwell within; the perverse are excluded.
The psalm ends not in violence but in clarity:
a purified inner city governed by integrity.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- I will sing of mercy and judgment.
→ Misericordiam et judicium cantabo. - I walked in the innocence of my heart.
→ Perambulabam in innocentia cordis mei. - A crooked heart clung not to me.
→ Non adhaesit mihi cor pravum. - My eyes were upon the faithful of the land.
→ Oculi mei ad fideles terrae.
(b) Verb Form Practice — present / imperfect / future
canto – cantare
perambulo – perambulare
adhaereo – adhaerere
detraho – detrahere
ministro – ministrare
Model Answers
- canto / cantabam / cantabo
- perambulo / perambulabam / perambulabo
- adhaereo / adhaerebam / adhaerebo
- detraho / detrahebam / detraham
- ministro / ministrabam / ministrabo
(c) Reflection Questions
- Which “voices” within correspond to slander, pride, or crookedness?
- What does it mean to cleanse the inner “house”?
- How do mercy and judgment interact in forming a healthy self?