Summary
A psalm of divine majesty and power.
The voice of the Lord is heard over the waters, shaking the wilderness and stripping the forests bare.
It is a hymn of awe before the Creator whose voice thunders through creation — yet ends with peace for His people.
Verses, Translation, and Word Notes
1. Afferte Domino, filii Dei, afferte Domino filios arietum:
Give unto the Lord, O sons of God; give unto the Lord the offspring of rams.
- afferte — affero, afferre, attuli, allatum — bring, offer
- filius, -i (m) — son
- Deus, -i (m) — God
- aries, -etis (m) — ram
2. Afferte Domino gloriam et honorem, afferte Domino gloriam nomini eius:
Give to the Lord glory and honour; give glory to His name.
- gloria, -ae (f) — glory
- honor, -oris (m) — honour
- nomen, nominis (n) — name
3. Adorate Dominum in atrio sancto eius.
Worship the Lord in His holy court.
- adoro, -are, -avi, -atum — to worship, adore
- atrium, -i (n) — court, courtyard
- sanctus, -a, -um — holy
4. Vox Domini super aquas: Deus maiestatis intonuit.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of majesty has thundered.
- vox, vocis (f) — voice
- aqua, -ae (f) — water
- intonuit — intono, -are, -ui — to thunder
- maiestas, -atis (f) — greatness, majesty
5. Dominus super aquas multas.
The Lord is upon many waters.
- super (+ acc.) — over, upon
- multus, -a, -um — many
6. Vox Domini in virtute: vox Domini in magnificentia.
The voice of the Lord is in power; the voice of the Lord in majesty.
- virtus, -utis (f) — strength, power
- magnificentia, -ae (f) — splendour, grandeur
7. Vox Domini confringentis cedros: et confringet Dominus cedros Libani.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
- confringo, -ere, confregi, confractum — to break in pieces
- cedrus, -i (f) — cedar tree
- Libanus, -i (m) — Lebanon
8. Et confringet eas tamquam vitulum Libani, et dilectus quemadmodum filius unicornium.
He makes them leap like a calf, Lebanon and his beloved like a young unicorn.
- vitulus, -i (m) — calf
- dilectus, -i (m) — beloved one
- unicornis, -is (m) — wild ox, unicorn (poetic)
9. Vox Domini intercidentis flammam ignis:
The voice of the Lord cuts out the flame of fire.
- intercido, -ere, intercidi, intercisum — to hew, divide, cut through
- flamma, -ae (f) — flame
- ignis, -is (m) — fire
10. Vox Domini concutientis desertum: et commovebit Dominus desertum Cades.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord will make the desert of Kadesh tremble.
- concutio, -ere, concussi, concussum — to shake violently
- desertum, -i (n) — desert, wilderness
- commoveo, -ere, commovi, commotum — to move, shake
- Cades (indecl.) — Kadesh, desert region south of Palestine
11. Vox Domini praeparantis cervos, et revelabit condensa: et in templo eius omnes dicent gloriam.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer bring forth, and strips the forests bare; and in His temple all cry “Glory.”
- praeparo, -are, -avi, -atum — to prepare, bring forth
- cervus, -i (m) — stag, deer
- revelo, -are, -avi, -atum — to reveal, uncover
- condensum, -i (n) — dense wood, thicket
12. Dominus diluvium inhabitare facit: et sedebit Dominus rex in aeternum.
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits as king forever.
- diluvium, -i (n) — flood, deluge
- inhabitare facit — causes to dwell, rules over
- sedeo, -ere, sedi, sessum — to sit
- rex, regis (m) — king
- aeternum, -i (n) — eternity
13. Dominus virtutem populo suo dabit: Dominus benedicet populo suo in pace.
The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
- virtus, -utis (f) — strength, might
- populus, -i (m) — people
- do, dare, dedi, datum — to give
- benedico, -ere, benedixi, benedictum — to bless
- pax, pacis (f) — peace
Study Exercise
Translate into Latin:
- Give glory to the Lord.
- The voice of the Lord is powerful.
- The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
- The Lord blesses His people with peace.
- The Lord sits as King forever.
Answers:
- Afferte Domino gloriam.
- Vox Domini in virtute.
- Confringet Dominus cedros Libani.
- Dominus benedicet populo suo in pace.
- Sedebit Dominus rex in aeternum.