Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi
Versus 1
Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi, voce mea ad Deum, et intendit mihi.
With my voice I cried to the Lord, with my voice to God, and he listened to me.
Word Notes:
- vox, vocis f. (3) – voice.
- clamo – clamare – clamavi – clamatum (1) – to cry out.
- intendo – intendere – intendi – intentum (3) – to stretch toward, attend, heed.
Versus 2
In die tribulationis meae Deum exquisivi; manibus meis nocte contra eum, et non sum deceptus.
In the day of my trouble I sought God; my hands were stretched out to him by night, and I was not deceived.
Word Notes:
- tribulatio, -onis f. (3) – distress, tribulation.
- exquiro – exquirere – exquisivi – exquisitum (3) – to seek out, inquire.
- manus, -us f. (4) – hand.
- decipio – decipere – decepi – deceptum (3 mix) – to deceive.
Versus 3
Renuit consolari anima mea; memor fui Dei, et delectatus sum, et exercitatus sum, et defecit spiritus meus.
My soul refused to be comforted; I remembered God and was troubled; I meditated, and my spirit fainted.
Word Notes:
- renuo – renuere – renui – — (3) – to refuse.
- consolor – consolari – consolatus sum (dep. 1) – to comfort, console.
- memini – meminisse (def.) – to remember.
- deficio – deficere – defeci – defectum (3 mix) – to fail, faint.
Versus 4
Anticipaverunt vigilias oculi mei; turbatus sum, et non sum locutus.
My eyes were awake before the watches; I was troubled and could not speak.
Word Notes:
- anticipare – anticipare – anticipavi – anticipatum (1) – to anticipate, go before.
- vigilia, -ae f. (1) – watch of the night.
- oculus, -i m. (2) – eye.
- turbo – turbare – turbavi – turbatum (1) – to disturb.
Versus 5
Cogitavi dies antiquos, et annos aeternos in mente habui.
I considered the ancient days, and held in mind the years of old.
Word Notes:
- cogito – cogitare – cogitavi – cogitatum (1) – to think, reflect.
- antiquus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – ancient, old.
- mens, mentis f. (3) – mind.
- habeo – habere – habui – habitum (2) – to have, hold.
Versus 6
Et meditatus sum nocte cum corde meo, et exercitabar, et scopebam spiritum meum.
And I meditated in the night with my heart, and I pondered and searched my spirit.
Word Notes:
- meditor – meditari – meditatus sum (dep. 1) – to meditate.
- exercito – exercitare – exercitavi – exercitatum (1) – to practice, ponder.
- scopo – scopare – scopavi – scopatum (1) – to sweep, search out (rare, here: to examine).
- spiritus, -us m. (4) – spirit, breath.
Versus 7–9
Numquid in aeternum projiciet Deus, aut non apponet ut complacitior sit adhuc? Aut in finem misericordiam suam abscindet, a generatione in generationem? Aut obliviscetur misereri Deus? aut continebit in ira sua misericordias suas?
Will God cast off forever, and will he be no more pleased? Has his mercy altogether ceased from generation to generation? Has God forgotten to be merciful, or has he shut up his compassion in anger?
Word Notes:
- projicio – projicere – projeci – projectum (3 mix) – to cast away.
- appono – apponere – apposui – appositum (3) – to add, continue.
- abscindo – abscindere – abscidi – abscissum (3) – to cut off.
- obliviscor – oblivisci – oblitus sum (dep. 3) – to forget.
- contineo – continere – continui – contentum (2) – to restrain.
Versus 10
Et dixi: Nunc coepi; haec mutatio dexterae Excelsi.
And I said: Now I have begun; this is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High.
Word Notes:
- coepio – coepisse – coeptus (def.) – to begin.
- mutatio, -onis f. (3) – change.
- dextera, -ae f. (1) – right hand.
- Excelsus, -i m. (2) – the Most High (title of God).
Versus 11–13
Memor fui operum Domini; quia memor ero ab initio mirabilium tuorum. Et meditabor in omnibus operibus tuis, et in adinventionibus tuis exercebor. Deus, in sancto via tua: quis Deus magnus sicut Deus noster?
I remembered the works of the Lord; surely I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on all your works and reflect on your deeds. O God, your way is holy; who is a great God like our God?
Word Notes:
- opus, -eris n. (3) – work, deed.
- mirabile, -is n. (3) – wonder.
- exerceo – exercere – exercui – exercitum (2) – to exercise, ponder.
- via, -ae f. (1) – way, path.
Versus 14–15
Tu es Deus, qui facis mirabilia; notam fecisti in populis virtutem tuam. Redemisti in brachio tuo populum tuum, filios Jacob et Joseph.
You are the God who works wonders; you have made your power known among the peoples. With your arm you redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Word Notes:
- facio – facere – feci – factum (3 mix) – to make, do.
- virtus, -utis f. (3) – strength, power, virtue.
- brachium, -ii n. (2) – arm.
- redimo – redimere – redemi – redemptum (3) – to redeem, buy back.
Versus 16–18
Viderunt te aquae, Deus, viderunt te aquae, et timuerunt; et turbatae sunt abyssi. Multitudo sonitus aquarum; vocem dederunt nubes, etenim sagittae tuae transeunt. Vox tonitrui tui in rota; illuxerunt coruscationes tuae orbi terrae; commota est et contremuit terra.
The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and were afraid; the depths were troubled. The clouds gave voice, for your arrows went forth. The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
Word Notes:
- aqua, -ae f. (1) – water.
- abyssus, -i f. (2) – deep, abyss.
- sagitta, -ae f. (1) – arrow.
- tonitrus, -us m. (4) – thunder.
- coruscatio, -onis f. (3) – lightning.
- contremo – contremere – contremui (3) – to tremble violently.
Versus 19–21
In mari via tua, et semitae tuae in aquis multis; et vestigia tua non cognoscentur. Deduxisti sicut oves populum tuum, in manu Moysi et Aaron.
Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters, and your footsteps were not known. You led your people like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Word Notes:
- semita, -ae f. (1) – path.
- vestigium, -ii n. (2) – footprint, track.
- deduco – deducere – deduxi – deductum (3) – to lead, guide.
- Moyses, -is m. – Moses.
- Aaron, -onis m. – Aaron.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 76 is a deeply introspective psalm of spiritual crisis and recovery. The poet begins in anguish, questioning divine absence, but ends in awe at the God of history and creation. It is a movement from despair to remembrance, from night meditation to the rediscovery of faith.
The imagery recalls the Exodus: God leading his people “through the sea,” unseen yet guiding. The psalm’s power lies in its honesty — doubt becomes the very road to understanding. In remembering the works of old, faith renews itself not by denying sorrow, but by seeing it within the continuity of divine purpose.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- I cried to God with my voice.
- My soul refused to be comforted.
- Will God cast off forever?
- You led your people like sheep.
Key:
- Voce mea ad Deum clamavi.
- Renuit consolari anima mea.
- Numquid in aeternum projiciet Deus?
- Deduxisti sicut oves populum tuum.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Give present, imperfect, future of:
- clamo – clamare (1)
- memini – meminisse (def.)
- deficio – deficere (3 mix)
- meditor – meditari (dep. 1)
- deduco – deducere (3)
Model Answers:
- clamo / clamabam / clamabo
- memini (perfect form, no present); memineram / meminero
- deficio / deficiebam / deficiam
- meditor / meditabar / meditarbor
- deduco / deducebam / deducam
(c) Reflection Questions
- How does the psalmist move from despair to renewed faith?
- Why is remembrance such a central act of healing in this psalm?
- What is suggested by the final image of God’s unseen footprints in the sea?