Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus (Psalm 107 Hebrew)
Total verses: 43
Verses 1–20 — English with Word Notes
1
Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy is forever.
Word Notes:
- confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum – to acknowledge, give thanks.
- bonus, -a, -um – good.
- saeculum, -i n. – age, eternity.
- misericordia, -ae f. – mercy.
2
Dicant qui redempti sunt a Domino, quos redemit de manu inimici.
Let those redeemed by the Lord say so—whom he redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
Word Notes:
- dico, dicere, dixi, dictum – to say.
- redimo, redimere, redemi, redemptum – to redeem.
- manus, -us f. – hand, power.
- inimicus, -i m. – enemy.
3
Et de regionibus congregavit eos: a solis ortu et occasu, ab aquilone et mari.
And he gathered them from the regions: from east and west, from north and the sea.
Word Notes:
- congrego, congregare – to gather together.
- sol, solis m. – sun.
- ortus, -us m. – rising.
- occasus, -us m. – setting.
- aquilo, -onis m. – north wind → the north.
- mare, maris n. – sea (here = south by idiom).
4
Erraverunt in solitudine in inaquoso; viam civitatis habitaculi non invenerunt.
They wandered in the desert, a dry land; they found no way to a dwelling-city.
Word Notes:
- erro, errare – to wander.
- solitudo, -inis f. – wilderness.
- inaquosus, -a, -um – waterless.
- via, -ae f. – way, path.
- habitaculum, -i n. – dwelling, habitation.
- invenio, invenire, inveni, inventum – to find.
5
Esurientes et sitientes; anima eorum in ipsis defecit.
Hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them.
Word Notes:
- esurio, esurire – to hunger.
- sitio, sitire – to thirst.
- anima, -ae f. – soul, life.
- deficio, deficere, defeci, defectum – to fail, faint.
6
Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur, et de necessitatibus eorum eripuit eos.
And they cried to the Lord in their distress, and he delivered them from their troubles.
Word Notes:
- clamo, clamare – to cry out.
- tribulo, tribulare – to afflict, distress.
- necessitas, -atis f. – need, trouble.
- eripio, eripere, eripui, ereptum – to snatch away, deliver.
7
Et deduxit eos in viam rectam, ut irent in civitatem habitationis.
And he led them in a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Word Notes:
- deduco, deducere – to lead down / lead along.
- rectus, -a, -um – straight, right.
- eo, ire, ii, itum – to go.
8
Confiteantur Domino misericordiae eius, et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercies, and for his wonders to the children of men.
Word Notes:
- confiteor – to give thanks (as v.1).
- misericordia – mercy.
- mirabile, -is n. – a wonder, marvellous act.
9
Quia satiavit animam inanem, et animam esurientem satiavit bonis.
For he satisfied the empty soul, and the hungry soul he filled with good things.
Word Notes:
- saturo, saturare – to fill, satisfy.
- inanis, -e – empty.
- bonus, -a, -um – good.
10
Sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis, vinctos in mendicitate et ferro.
Sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in misery and iron.
Word Notes:
- tenebrae, -arum f. pl. – darkness.
- umbra, -ae f. – shadow.
- mors, mortis f. – death.
- vincio, vincire, vinxi, vinctum – to bind.
- mendicitas, -atis f. – want, beggary.
- ferrum, -i n. – iron.
11
Quia exacerbaverunt eloquia Dei, et consilium Altissimi irritaverunt.
Because they provoked the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
Word Notes:
- exacerbo, exacerbāre – to embitter, provoke.
- eloquium, -ii n. – word, saying.
- consilium, -ii n. – counsel.
- irrito, irritare – to make void, reject.
12
Et humiliatum est in laboribus cor eorum; infirmati sunt, nec fuit qui adiuveret.
And their heart was humbled in toil; they grew weak, and there was none to help.
Word Notes:
- humilio, humiliare – to humble.
- labor, -oris m. – toil, hardship.
- infirmo, infirmare – to weaken.
- adiuvo, adiuvare – to help.
13
Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur, et de necessitatibus eorum liberavit eos.
And they cried to the Lord in distress, and he freed them from their troubles.
Word Notes:
- libero, liberare – to free.
14
Et eduxit eos de tenebris et umbra mortis, et vincula eorum disrupit.
And he brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains.
Word Notes:
- educo, educere – to lead out.
- disrumpo, disrumpere, disrupī, disruptum – to break apart.
15
Confiteantur Domino misericordiae eius, et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercies, and his wonders to the children of men.
(Repeated refrain: see notes at v.8.)
16
Quia contrivit portas aereas, et vectes ferreos confregit.
For he shattered the bronze gates and broke the iron bars.
Word Notes:
- contero, conterere, contrivi, contritum – to crush, shatter.
- porta, -ae f. – gate.
- aereus, -a, -um – bronze.
- vectis, -is m. – bar, bolt.
- confringo, confringere, confregi, confractum – to break.
17
Stulti facti sunt propter vias suas iniquas, et propter injustitias suas afflicti sunt.
They became foolish because of their wicked ways, and were afflicted for their injustices.
Word Notes:
- stultus, -a, -um – foolish.
- via, -ae f. – path, conduct.
- iniquus, -a, -um – unjust, wicked.
- affligo, affligere, afflixi, afflictum – to afflict.
18
Omnem escam abominata est anima eorum, et appropinquaverunt usque ad portas mortis.
Their soul loathed all food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
Word Notes:
- abominor, abominari – to loathe.
- cibus / esca, -ae f. – food.
- appropinquo, appropinquare – to draw near.
19
Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur, et de necessitatibus eorum liberavit eos.
And they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he freed them from their needs.
(Notes as v.13.)
20
Misit verbum suum, et sanavit eos, et eripuit de interitionibus eorum.
He sent his word and healed them, and snatched them from their destructions.
Word Notes:
- mitto, mittere, misi, missum – to send.
- sanō, sanāre – to heal.
- interitio, -onis f. – destruction, ruin.
Verses 21–35 — Latin + Literal English Only
21
Confiteantur Domino misericordiae eius: et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercies and his wonders to the children of men.
22
Et sacrificent sacrificium laudis, et annuntient opera eius in exsultatione.
Let them offer the sacrifice of praise, and tell his works with rejoicing.
23
Qui descendunt mare in navibus, facientes operationem in aquis multis.
Those who go down to the sea in ships, doing work in many waters.
24
Ipsi viderunt opera Domini, et mirabilia eius in profundo.
They saw the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep.
25
Dixit, et suscitavit spiritum procellae: et exaltati sunt fluctus eius.
He spoke and raised the storm-wind; and its waves were lifted up.
26
Ascendunt usque ad caelos, et descendunt usque ad abyssos; anima eorum in malis tabescebat.
They rose to the heavens, they plunged to the depths; their soul melted in distress.
27
Turbati sunt et moti sunt sicut ebrius, et omnis sapientia eorum devorata est.
They were troubled and staggered like a drunkard, and all their wisdom was swallowed up.
28
Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur, et de necessitatibus eorum eduxit eos.
And they cried to the Lord, and he brought them out of their troubles.
29
Et statuit procellam eius in auram, et siluerunt fluctus eius.
He changed the storm to a breeze, and the waves were calmed.
30
Et laetati sunt quia siluerunt; et deduxit eos in portum voluntatis eorum.
And they rejoiced because they were stilled; and he led them to the harbour they desired.
31
Confiteantur Domino misericordiae eius, et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them praise the Lord for his mercy and wonders.
32
Et exaltent eum in ecclesia plebis, et in cathedra seniorum laudent eum.
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the council of elders.
33
Posuit flumina in desertum, et exitus aquarum in sitim.
He turned rivers into desert, and water-springs into thirst.
34
Terram fructiferam in salsuginem, a malitia inhabitantium in ea.
A fruitful land he changed into salt-waste, because of the wickedness of those dwelling there.
35
Posuit desertum in stagna aquarum, et terram sine aqua in exitus aquarum.
He made the desert pools of water, and the dry land water-springs.
Morphology Exercises (10)
Give present / imperfect / future:
- clamō
- liberō
- errō
- affligō
- congregō
- dedūcō
- satiō
- approquinquō
- confringō
- misceō
Translation Exercises (10)
Translate into Latin:
- They cried to the Lord in their distress.
- He led them in a straight way.
- Their soul fainted within them.
- He shattered the bronze gates.
- They wandered in the wilderness.
- He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
- Let them offer the sacrifice of praise.
- He healed them by his word.
- They rejoiced because the waves were stilled.
- He gathered them from east and west.
Summary (approx. 100 words)
Psalm 106 is a litany of deliverance, depicting humanity in repeated cycles of distress, crying out, and being rescued. The psalmist shows four archetypal crises—wandering, imprisonment, sickness, and storm—to reveal a single truth: God responds unfailingly to need. The refrain “and they cried to the Lord” marks these turning points, emphasising mercy over judgment. Nature, nations, seas, and deserts shift at divine command, suggesting the transformation of the inner landscape as well. The psalm moves from chaos to ordered praise, ending with the wisdom that God overturns situations to awaken gratitude and understanding.
Reflection Question
Where in your own life do you recognise the pattern: distress → awakening → deliverance → gratitude?