— Psalm 116:1–9 (Hebrew)
Dilexi, quoniam exaudiet Dominus
By GRAHAM JOHN
A personal psalm of thanksgiving in which deliverance from death leads not to triumphalism but to love, trust, and a renewed commitment to walk consciously before God.
9 verses total
VERSUS 1–9 (Latin + Literal English + Word Notes)
1
Dilexi, quoniam exaudiet Dominus vocem orationis meae.
I have loved, because the Lord will hear the voice of my prayer.
Word Notes:
- diligo, diligere, dilexi — to love, value deeply
- exaudio, exaudire — to hear favourably, listen attentively
- vox, vocis f. — voice
- oratio, -onis f. — prayer, plea
2
Quia inclinavit aurem suam mihi; et in diebus meis invocabo.
Because he inclined his ear to me; and in my days I will call upon him.
Word Notes:
- inclino, inclinare — to bend toward
- auris, auris f. — ear
- invoco, invocare — to call upon, invoke
- dies, diei m. — day, lifetime
3
Circumdederunt me dolores mortis; et pericula inferni invenerunt me.
The pains of death surrounded me; and the dangers of the grave found me.
Word Notes:
- circumdo, circumdare — to surround
- dolor, doloris m. — pain, anguish
- mors, mortis f. — death
- periculum, -i n. — danger
- infernus, -i m. — the underworld, grave
4
Tribulationem et dolorem inveni; et nomen Domini invocavi.
I encountered distress and sorrow; and I called upon the name of the Lord.
Word Notes:
- tribulatio, -onis f. — distress, pressure
- invenio, invenire — to encounter, find
- nomen, nominis n. — name (presence, authority)
5
O Domine, libera animam meam.
O Lord, deliver my soul.
Word Notes:
- libero, liberare — to free, rescue
- anima, -ae f. — soul, life, inner self
6
Misericors Dominus et iustus, et Deus noster miseretur.
The Lord is merciful and just, and our God shows compassion.
Word Notes:
- misericors, -cordis — merciful
- iustus, -a, -um — just, righteous
- misereor, misereri — to show mercy (deponent)
7
Custodiens parvulos Dominus; humiliatus sum, et liberavit me.
The Lord guards the simple; I was brought low, and he freed me.
Word Notes:
- custodio, custodire — to guard, protect
- parvulus, -a, -um — small, simple, vulnerable
- humilio, humiliare — to humble, bring low
- libero, liberare — to deliver
8
Convertere, anima mea, in requiem tuam, quia Dominus benefecit tibi.
Return, my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt kindly with you.
Word Notes:
- converto, convertere — to turn back, return
- requies, requietis f. — rest, repose
- benefacio, benefacere — to do good to
9
Quia eripuit animam meam de morte, oculos meos a lacrimis, pedes meos a lapsu.
For he rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
Word Notes:
- eripio, eripere — to snatch away, rescue
- lacrima, -ae f. — tear
- pes, pedis m. — foot
- lapsus, -us m. — fall, slipping
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES (9)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts:
- dilexi
- exaudiet
- inclinavit
- circumdederunt
- invocavi
- miseretur
- humiliatus sum
- benefecit
- eripuit
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (9)
Translate into Latin:
- I have loved the Lord.
- The Lord heard the voice of my prayer.
- The pains of death surrounded me.
- I called upon the name of the Lord.
- O Lord, deliver my soul.
- The Lord is merciful and just.
- I was brought low, and he freed me.
- Return, my soul, to your rest.
- He rescued my feet from stumbling.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 114 is an intimate testimony rather than a public hymn. Deliverance here is not abstract or national but personal and existential: the speaker has faced death, fear, and inner collapse. The response is strikingly restrained. Instead of triumph, the psalm expresses love, trust, and a call to inner rest. God’s mercy is shown not through spectacle but through attentiveness — inclining the ear, guarding the vulnerable, restoring equilibrium. Salvation culminates not in escape from life but in the capacity to walk steadily within it. The psalm thus presents faith as renewed orientation after crisis.
REFLECTION QUESTION
After periods of fear, illness, or inner upheaval, what does it mean for you to “return to rest” rather than simply move on?