— Psalm 113 (Hebrew)
Laudate, pueri, Dominum
By GRAHAM JOHN
A hymn of praise celebrating the Lord’s exalted transcendence and his gracious concern for the lowly, reversing human expectations of power and honour.
9 verses total
VERSUS 1–9 (Latin + Literal English + Word Notes)
1
Laudate, pueri, Dominum; laudate nomen Domini.
Praise the Lord, you servants; praise the name of the Lord.
Word Notes:
- laudo, laudare — to praise
- puer, pueri m. — servant, attendant (not strictly “child” here)
- Dominus, -i m. — Lord, master
- nomen, nominis n. — name (reputation, character)
2
Sit nomen Domini benedictum, ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
May the name of the Lord be blessed, from this time forth and forever.
Word Notes:
- sum, esse → sit — present subjunctive (jussive)
- benedictus, -a, -um — blessed
- ex hoc nunc — from now on
- in saeculum — forever, into the age
3
A solis ortu usque ad occasum, laudabile nomen Domini.
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
Word Notes:
- sol, solis m. — sun
- ortus, -us m. — rising
- occasus, -us m. — setting
- laudabilis, -e — praiseworthy
4
Excelsus super omnes gentes Dominus, et super caelos gloria eius.
The Lord is exalted above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Word Notes:
- excelsus, -a, -um — high, exalted
- gens, gentis f. — nation, people
- caelum, -i n. — heaven, sky
- gloria, -ae f. — glory, splendour
5
Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat,
Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high,
Word Notes:
- quis — who?
- sicut — like, as
- Deus, Dei m. — God
- habito, habitare — to dwell
- altum, -i n. — height, high place
6
Et humilia respicit in caelo et in terra?
And who looks upon the lowly in heaven and on earth?
Word Notes:
- humilis, -e — low, humble
- respicio, respicere — to look upon, regard
- terra, -ae f. — earth, land
7
Suscitans a terra inopem, et de stercore erigens pauperem;
Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting the poor from the dust,
Word Notes:
- suscito, suscitare — to raise up
- inops, inopis — needy, destitute
- stercus, stercoris n. — dung, refuse heap
- erigo, erigere — to raise, lift
- pauper, pauperis m. — poor person
8
Ut collocet eum cum principibus, cum principibus populi sui.
To seat him with princes, with the princes of his people.
Word Notes:
- colloco, collocare — to place, seat
- princeps, principis m. — leader, ruler
- populus, -i m. — people
9
Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo, matrem filiorum laetantem.
Who makes the barren woman dwell in a house, a joyful mother of children.
Word Notes:
- sterilis, -e — barren
- domus, -us f. — house, household
- mater, matris f. — mother
- filius, -i m. — son, child
- laetor, laetari — to rejoice (deponent)
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES (9)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts:
- laudate
- sit
- laudabile
- habitat
- respicit
- suscitans
- erigens
- collocet
- facit
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (9)
Translate into Latin:
- Praise the name of the Lord.
- May the name of the Lord be blessed forever.
- The Lord is exalted above all nations.
- Who is like the Lord our God?
- He dwells on high.
- He looks upon the lowly.
- He raises the poor from the dust.
- He seats them with princes.
- He makes the barren woman a joyful mother.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 112 holds together two seemingly opposed truths: God’s absolute transcendence and his intimate concern for the lowly. The Lord is exalted above nations and heavens alike, beyond comparison, yet he directs his attention toward the humble and the powerless. Divine greatness is not expressed through distance but through compassionate reversal — lifting the poor, restoring dignity, and transforming barrenness into fruitfulness. The psalm quietly undermines human hierarchies, presenting a moral vision in which true authority is revealed through attentive care for those least able to secure their own status.
REFLECTION QUESTION
Where do you most readily imagine “height” and “lowliness” operating in your own life — and how does this psalm challenge your assumptions about where dignity and worth are truly found?