Deus, venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam
Versus 1
Deus, venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum, posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.
O God, the nations have entered your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
Word Notes:
- gens, gentis f. (3) – nation, foreign people.
- hereditas, -atis f. (3) – inheritance.
- polluo – polluere – pollui – pollutum (3) – to defile, pollute.
- templum, -i n. (2) – temple.
- posuo – ponere – posui – positum (3) – to place, set.
- custodia, -ae f. (1) – guard, watch.
Versus 2
Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus caeli, carnes sanctorum tuorum bestiis terrae.
They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.
Word Notes:
- morticinum, -i n. (2) – corpse, dead body.
- volatilis, -e (adj. 3) – winged, of the air.
- caelum, -i n. (2) – heaven, sky.
- bestia, -ae f. (1) – beast, wild animal.
Versus 3
Effuderunt sanguinem eorum sicut aquam in circuitu Jerusalem, et non erat qui sepeliret.
They poured out their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.
Word Notes:
- effundo – effundere – effudi – effusum (3) – to pour out.
- sanguis, -inis m. (3) – blood.
- sepelio – sepelire – sepelivi – sepultum (4) – to bury.
Versus 4
Facti sumus opprobrium vicinis nostris; subsannatio et illusio his qui in circuitu nostro sunt.
We have become a reproach to our neighbours, a mockery and derision to those around us.
Word Notes:
- opprobrium, -ii n. (2) – reproach, disgrace.
- vicinus, -i m. (2) – neighbour.
- subsannatio, -onis f. (3) – ridicule, mockery.
- illusio, -onis f. (3) – derision, scorn.
Versus 5
Usquequo, Domine, irasceris in finem? Accendetur velut ignis zelus tuus?
How long, O Lord, will you be angry forever? Shall your jealousy burn like fire?
Word Notes:
- usquequo (adv.) – how long?
- irascor – irasci – iratus sum (dep. 3) – to be angry.
- accendo – accendere – accendi – accensum (3) – to kindle, inflame.
- zelus, -i m. (2) – zeal, jealousy.
Versus 6
Effunde iram tuam in gentes quae te non noverunt, et in regna quae nomen tuum non invocaverunt.
Pour out your wrath upon the nations that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name.
Word Notes:
- effundo – effundere – effudi – effusum (3) – to pour out.
- nosco – noscere – novi – notum (3) – to know.
- invoco – invocare – invocavi – invocatum (1) – to call upon, invoke.
Versus 7
Quia comederunt Jacob, et locum ejus desolaverunt.
For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place.
Word Notes:
- comedo – comedere – comedi – comesum (3) – to eat up, consume.
- desolo – desolare – desolavi – desolatum (1) – to make desolate, destroy.
Versus 8
Ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum; cito anticipent nos misericordiae tuae, quia pauperes facti sumus nimis.
Remember not our former iniquities; let your mercies quickly come to us, for we are brought very low.
Word Notes:
- memini – meminisse (def.) – to remember.
- iniquitas, -atis f. (3) – iniquity, wrongdoing.
- cito (adv.) – quickly.
- anticipio – anticipare – anticipavi – anticipatum (1) – to come before.
- misericordia, -ae f. (1) – mercy.
- pauper, -eris (adj. 3) – poor, afflicted.
Versus 9
Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster, et propter gloriam nominis tui, Domine, libera nos; et propitius esto peccatis nostris propter nomen tuum.
Help us, O God our Saviour, and for the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us; and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.
Word Notes:
- adjuvo – adjuvare – adjuvi – adjutum (1) – to help.
- salutaris, -e (adj. 3) – saving, delivering.
- libero – liberare – liberavi – liberatum (1) – to free, deliver.
- propitius, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – merciful, gracious.
Versus 10
Ne forte dicant in gentibus: Ubi est Deus eorum? et innotescat in nationibus coram oculis nostris ultio sanguinis servorum tuorum, qui effusus est.
Why should the nations say: Where is their God? Let the vengeance of your servants’ blood, which has been shed, be made known among the nations before our eyes.
Word Notes:
- forte (adv.) – perhaps, lest.
- innotesco – innotescere – innotui (3) – to become known.
- ultio, -onis f. (3) – vengeance.
- effundo – effundere – effudi – effusum (3) – to pour out (as in v.3).
Versus 11
Introeat in conspectu tuo gemitus compeditorum; secundum magnitudinem brachii tui posside filios mortificatorum.
Let the groaning of the prisoners come before you; according to the greatness of your arm, preserve the children of those who are slain.
Word Notes:
- introeo – introire – introii – introitum (irr.) – to enter.
- conspectus, -us m. (4) – sight, presence.
- gemitus, -us m. (4) – groaning, lament.
- compeditor, -oris m. (3) – prisoner in chains.
- possideo – possidere – possedi – possessum (2) – to possess, preserve.
- mortificator, -oris m. (3) – slayer, murderer.
Versus 12
Redde vicinis nostris septuplum in sinu eorum improperium ipsorum, quod exprobraverunt tibi, Domine.
Render to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom the reproach with which they have reproached you, O Lord.
Word Notes:
- reddo – reddere – reddidi – redditum (3) – to return, repay.
- septuplum (adv.) – sevenfold.
- improperium, -ii n. (2) – insult, reproach.
- exprobro – exprobrare – exprobravi – exprobratum (1) – to reproach, insult.
Versus 13
Nos autem populus tuus, et oves pascuae tuae, confitebimur tibi in saeculum; in generationem et generationem annuntiabimus laudem tuam.
But we your people and the sheep of your pasture will give you thanks forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.
Word Notes:
- ovis, -is f. (3) – sheep.
- pascua, -ae f. (1) – pasture.
- confiteor – confiteri – confessus sum (dep. 2) – to confess, praise, acknowledge.
- annuntio – annuntiare – annuntiavi – annuntiatum (1) – to announce, declare.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 78 (Vulgate numbering; Psalm 79 in Hebrew) laments the devastation of Jerusalem — most likely during the Babylonian destruction of 586 BC.
It opens with horror and grief: desecrated temple, slaughtered people, and mockery from neighbouring nations. The psalmist’s appeal moves swiftly from justice to mercy — a balance typical of Hebrew lamentation.
The prayer “Help us, O God our Saviour” reveals the heart of the psalm: divine intervention is sought not for national pride but for the glory of God’s name.
The psalm ends on a quiet affirmation: despite ruin, the faithful remain God’s flock. Worship continues in defiance of despair — a declaration that spiritual identity survives political collapse.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- The nations have entered your inheritance.
- They have poured out blood like water.
- Help us, O God our Saviour.
- We are your people and the sheep of your pasture.
Key:
- Venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam.
- Effuderunt sanguinem sicut aquam.
- Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster.
- Nos autem populus tuus et oves pascuae tuae.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Give present, imperfect, future of:
- effundo – effundere (3)
- memini – meminisse (def.)
- adjuvo – adjuvare (1)
- confiteor – confiteri (dep. 2)
- libero – liberare (1)
Model Answers:
- effundo / effundebam / effundam
- memini (perfect only), memineram / meminero
- adjuvo / adjuvabam / adjuvabo
- confiteor / confitebar / confitebor
- libero / liberabam / liberabo
(c) Reflection Questions
- How does this psalm balance anger and penitence in its tone?
- What does “for the glory of your name” reveal about biblical theology?
- Why is the final image — the sheep of your pasture — so enduringly powerful?