Notus in Judaea Deus
Versus 1
Notus in Judaea Deus, in Israel magnum nomen ejus.
In Judah God is known; in Israel his name is great.
Word Notes:
- notus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – known, familiar.
- Iudaea, -ae f. (1) – Judah, the land of the Jews.
- magnus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – great.
- nomen, -inis n. (3) – name, reputation.
Versus 2
Et factus est in pace locus ejus, et habitatio ejus in Sion.
And his place has been established in peace, and his dwelling in Zion.
Word Notes:
- facio – facere – feci – factum (3 mix) – to make, do.
- pax, pacis f. (3) – peace.
- locus, -i m. (2) – place.
- habitatio, -onis f. (3) – dwelling, habitation.
Versus 3
Ibi confringet potentias arcuum, scutum, gladium, et bellum.
There he broke the powers of bows, the shield, the sword, and the battle itself.
Word Notes:
- confringo – confringere – confregi – confractum (3) – to break, shatter.
- potentia, -ae f. (1) – power, strength.
- arcus, -us m. (4) – bow (for shooting arrows).
- scutum, -i n. (2) – shield.
- gladius, -ii m. (2) – sword.
Versus 4
Illuminatus es mirabiliter de montibus aeternis.
You are resplendent, glorious from the everlasting mountains.
Word Notes:
- illumino – illuminare – illuminavi – illuminatum (1) – to illumine, make bright.
- mirabiliter (adv.) – wonderfully, remarkably.
- mons, montis m. (3) – mountain.
- aeternus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – eternal, everlasting.
Versus 5
Turbati sunt omnes insipientes corde; dormierunt somnum suum, et nihil invenerunt omnes viri divitiarum manibus suis.
All the foolish of heart were troubled; they have slept their sleep, and none of the men of wealth have found anything in their hands.
Word Notes:
- turbo – turbare – turbavi – turbatum (1) – to trouble, disturb.
- insipiens, -ntis (adj. 3) – foolish.
- dormio – dormire – dormivi – dormitum (4) – to sleep.
- divitiae, -arum f. pl. (1) – riches, wealth.
- manus, -us f. (4) – hand.
Versus 6
Ab increpatione tua, Deus Jacob, dormitaverunt qui ascenderunt equos.
At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, those who mounted horses have fallen asleep.
Word Notes:
- increpatio, -onis f. (3) – rebuke, reprimand.
- dormito – dormitare – dormitavi – dormitatus (1) – to slumber, doze.
- ascendo – ascendere – ascendi – ascensum (3) – to ascend, mount.
- equus, -i m. (2) – horse.
Versus 7
Tu terribilis es, et quis resistet tibi? Ex tunc ira tua.
You are terrible; who can stand before you when once your anger is aroused?
Word Notes:
- terribilis, -e (adj. 3) – terrible, fearful.
- resisto – resistere – restiti (3) – to stand firm, resist.
- ira, -ae f. (1) – anger, wrath.
Versus 8
De caelo auditum fecisti judicium; terra tremuit et quievit.
From heaven you caused judgment to be heard; the earth trembled and was still.
Word Notes:
- caelum, -i n. (2) – heaven, sky.
- audio – audire – audivi – auditum (4) – to hear.
- judicium, -ii n. (2) – judgment.
- tremo – tremere – tremui (3) – to tremble.
- quiesco – quiescere – quievi – quietum (3) – to rest, be still.
Versus 9
Cum exsurgeret in judicium Deus, ut salvos faceret omnes mansuetos terrae.
When God rose up to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.
Word Notes:
- exsurgo – exsurgere – exsurrexi – exsurrectum (3) – to rise up.
- salvo – salvare – salvavi – salvatum (1) – to save.
- mansuetus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – meek, gentle.
Versus 10
Quoniam cogitatio hominis confitebitur tibi, et reliquiae cogitationis diem festum agent tibi.
For the thought of man shall give you praise, and the remainder of his thought shall keep festival to you.
Word Notes:
- cogitatio, -onis f. (3) – thought, intention.
- confiteor – confiteri – confessus sum (dep. 2) – to confess, acknowledge, praise.
- reliquiae, -arum f. pl. (1) – remnants, survivors, remainder.
- festum agere – to celebrate a feast (idiomatic phrase).
Versus 11
Vovete et reddite Domino Deo vestro, omnes qui in circuitu ejus affertis munera; terribili, et ei qui aufert spiritum principum, terribili apud reges terrae.
Vow and pay to the Lord your God, all you who are around him bring gifts—to him who is terrible, who takes away the spirit of princes, and who is terrible among the kings of the earth.
Word Notes:
- voveo – vovere – vovi – votum (2) – to vow.
- reddo – reddere – reddidi – redditum (3) – to return, pay.
- circum, -i m. (2) – circuit, surroundings.
- munus, -muneris n. (3) – gift, offering.
- aufero – auferre – abstuli – ablatum (irr.) – to take away, remove.
- princeps, -cipis m. (3) – prince, ruler.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 75 celebrates the power of God revealed in judgment. A hymn of divine victory—possibly after the deliverance of Jerusalem—it portrays God as warrior and judge who breaks human weapons and humbles pride.
The psalm moves from geography (Judah, Zion) to cosmic scope (heaven and earth tremble), culminating in a moral appeal: humanity must respond to divine awe with praise and vowed faithfulness. “The thought of man shall give you praise” expresses a deep insight: even human fear becomes the seed of reverence.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- God is known in Judah.
- His dwelling is in Zion.
- He broke the bow and the sword.
- Vow and pay to the Lord your God.
Key:
- Notus in Judaea Deus.
- Habitatio ejus in Sion.
- Confringet arcum et gladium.
- Vovete et reddite Domino Deo vestro.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Give present, imperfect, future of:
- confringo – confringere (3)
- exsurgo – exsurgere (3)
- confiteor – confiteri (dep. 2)
- voveo – vovere (2)
- tremo – tremere (3)
Model Answers:
- confringo / confringebam / confringam
- exsurgo / exsurgebam / exsurgam
- confiteor / confitebar / confitebor
- voveo / vovebam / vovebo
- tremo / tremebam / tremam
(c) Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for “the thought of man” to praise God?
- How does this psalm combine fear and peace within its theology of power?
- In what sense is divine judgment depicted as both terrifying and redemptive?