— Psalm 116:10–19 (Hebrew)
Credidi, propter quod locutus sum
By GRAHAM JOHN
A psalm of trust spoken from within affliction, exploring faith under pressure, the cost of fidelity, and the meaning of thanksgiving offered not in abstraction but in lived response.
10 verses total
VERSUS 1–10 (Latin + Literal English + Word Notes)
1
Credidi, propter quod locutus sum; ego autem humiliatus sum nimis.
I believed, therefore I spoke; but I was greatly humbled.
Word Notes:
- credo, credere, credidi — to believe, trust
- propter quod — therefore, for this reason
- loquor, loqui — to speak (deponent)
- humilio, humiliare — to humble
- nimis — greatly, excessively
2
Ego dixi in excessu meo: Omnis homo mendax.
I said in my distress: Every human being is a liar.
Word Notes:
- dico, dicere, dixi — to say
- excessus, -us m. — disturbance, agitation, extremity
- omnis, -e — all, every
- homo, hominis m. — human being
- mendax, mendacis — deceitful, false
3
Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi?
What shall I give back to the Lord for all that he has given to me?
Word Notes:
- retribuo, retribuere — to repay, return
- omnis, -e — all
- quid — what?
4
Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo.
I will take up the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
Word Notes:
- calix, calicis m. — cup
- salutaris, -e — saving, health-giving
- accipio, accipere — to receive, take
- invoco, invocare — to call upon
5
Vota mea Domino reddam coram omni populo eius.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Word Notes:
- votum, -i n. — vow, promise
- reddo, reddere — to give back, fulfil
- coram — in the presence of
- populus, -i m. — people
6
Pretiosa in conspectu Domini mors sanctorum eius.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
Word Notes:
- pretiosus, -a, -um — precious, valued
- conspectus, -us m. — sight, presence
- mors, mortis f. — death
- sanctus, -i m. — holy one, faithful servant
7
O Domine, quia ego servus tuus; ego servus tuus et filius ancillae tuae.
O Lord, for I am your servant; your servant and the son of your handmaid.
Word Notes:
- servus, -i m. — servant
- filius, -i m. — son
- ancilla, -ae f. — maidservant
8
Dirupisti vincula mea; tibi sacrificabo hostiam laudis.
You have broken my bonds; to you I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
Word Notes:
- dirumpo, dirumpere — to break apart
- vinculum, -i n. — bond, chain
- sacrifico, sacrificare — to offer sacrifice
- hostia, -ae f. — offering, victim
- laus, laudis f. — praise
9
Et nomen Domini invocabo; vota mea Domino reddam in conspectu omnis populi eius.
And I will call upon the name of the Lord; I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Word Notes:
- invoco — to call upon
- conspectus — presence
- omnis — all
10
In atriis domus Domini, in medio tui, Ierusalem.
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Word Notes:
- atrium, -ii n. — court, courtyard
- domus, -us f. — house
- medius, -a, -um — middle, midst
- Ierusalem — Jerusalem
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES (10)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts:
- credidi
- locutus sum
- dixi
- retribuam
- accipiam
- reddam
- dirupisti
- sacrificabo
- invocabo
- reddam (v. 9)
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (10)
Translate into Latin:
- I believed, therefore I spoke.
- I was greatly humbled.
- Every human being is false.
- What shall I return to the Lord?
- I will take the cup of salvation.
- I will call upon the name of the Lord.
- Precious is the death of the faithful.
- You have broken my bonds.
- I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
- In the courts of the house of the Lord.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 115 explores faith under strain rather than faith at ease. Belief does not prevent anguish; it compels speech even when speech risks despair. The psalmist admits disillusionment with human reliability while reaffirming loyalty to God through vowed action. Deliverance leads not to abstraction but to obligation: vows are fulfilled publicly, gratitude is enacted, and freedom expresses itself as service. Even death is reframed, not denied, as something held within divine regard. The psalm presents faith as costly honesty followed by disciplined thanksgiving — belief that survives crisis by binding itself to concrete response.
REFLECTION QUESTION
When trust in others collapses or disappointment sharpens speech, what practices help you translate belief back into gratitude and commitment?