Dixit Dominus Domino meo
A royal-oracular psalm of enthronement and spiritual authority.
7 verses total.
VERSUS 1–7 (Latin + Literal English + Word Notes)
1
Dixit Dominus Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis, donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum.
The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.
Word Notes:
- dico, dicere, dixi, dictum — to say.
- Dominus — the Lord (YHWH).
- Dominus meus — “my Lord” (a superior or king).
- dextera, -ae f. — right hand, place of power.
- donec — until.
- scabellum, -i n. — footstool.
2
Virgam virtutis tuae emittet Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum.
The Lord will send forth the rod of your power from Zion: rule in the midst of your enemies.
Word Notes:
- virga, -ae f. — rod, sceptre.
- virtus, -utis f. — strength, might.
- emitto, -ere — to send forth.
- dominare (imperative of dominor) — rule, have dominion.
3
Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae, in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te.
With you is the princely power on the day of your strength, in the splendours of holiness: from the womb before the morning star I have begotten you.
Word Notes:
- principium, -ii n. — beginning, primacy, princely rank.
- splendor, -oris m. — radiance, splendour.
- uterus, -i m. — womb.
- lucifer, -eri m. — morning star.
- gigno, gignere, genui, genitum — to beget.
4
Iuravit Dominus, et non poenitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech.
The Lord has sworn and will not repent: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Word Notes:
- iuro, iurare — to swear.
- poenitet (impersonal) — it repents, it grieves.
- sacerdos, -otis m. — priest.
- in aeternum — forever.
- ordo, ordinis m. — order, rank.
- Melchisedech — priest-king of Salem (Gen. 14).
5
Dominus a dextris tuis, confregit in die irae suae reges.
The Lord at your right hand has shattered kings on the day of his wrath.
Word Notes:
- confringo, -ere, confregi, confractum — to break, shatter.
- ira, -ae f. — wrath, righteous anger.
- rex, regis m. — king.
6
Iudicabit in nationibus, implebit ruinas; conquassabit capita in terra multorum.
He will judge among the nations, he will fill them with ruins; he will crush the heads on the earth of many.
Word Notes:
- iudico, -are — to judge.
- impleo, implere — to fill.
- ruina, -ae f. — ruin, downfall.
- conquasso, -are — to smash, crush.
- caput, capitis n. — head.
7
De torrente in via bibet; propterea exaltabit caput.
He will drink from the brook on the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Word Notes:
- torrens, -entis m. — stream, torrent.
- bibo, bibere — to drink.
- exalto, -are — to raise high, lift up.
- caput — head; symbol of honour.
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES (10)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts where relevant:
- dixit
- ponam
- dominare
- genui
- iuravit
- poenitebit
- confregit
- iudicabit
- implebit
- bibet
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (10)
Translate into Latin:
- The Lord said to my Lord.
- Rule in the midst of your enemies.
- Before the morning star I have begotten you.
- You are a priest forever.
- The sceptre of your power goes out from Zion.
- He shattered kings on the day of his wrath.
- He will judge among many nations.
- The Lord has sworn and will not repent.
- He crushed the heads on the earth.
- Therefore he will lift up his head.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 109 is the most explicitly royal and messianic of the psalms, combining kingship, priesthood, divine oath, and cosmic authority. The psalm opens with a heavenly oracle conferring dominion on the king seated at God’s right hand. It then declares a timeless priesthood “after the order of Melchizedek,” transcending the hereditary line of Aaron. The remaining verses show universal judgment and the ultimate victory of righteousness over violent powers. This psalm profoundly shaped later Jewish and Christian expectation: a ruler both king and priest, whose authority comes not from human lineage but from divine appointment.
REFLECTION QUESTION
What does it mean for authority to arise not from institutional structures but from an inner or divine calling — and how might this apply to your own moral life?