Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine virtutum!
(= Psalm 84 in Hebrew numbering)
Versus 1
Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine virtutum!
How lovely are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
Word Notes:
- quam dilecta – how beloved, how lovely.
- dilectus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – beloved, dear.
- tabernaculum, -i n. (2) – dwelling, tent, tabernacle.
- Domine virtutum – Lord of hosts (lit. Lord of powers; virtus = might, host).
Versus 2
Concupiscit, et deficit anima mea in atria Domini; cor meum, et caro mea exsultaverunt in Deum vivum.
My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.
Word Notes:
- concupisco – concupiscere – concupivi – concupitum (3) – to desire eagerly.
- deficio – deficere – defeci – defectum (3) – to fail, faint.
- atrium, -ii n. (2) – court, courtyard.
- cor, cordis n. (3) – heart.
- caro, carnis f. (3) – flesh.
- exsulto – exsultare – exsultavi – exsultatum (1) – to rejoice.
- vivus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – living.
Versus 3
Etenim passer invenit sibi domum, et turtur nidum sibi, ubi ponat pullos suos; altaria tua, Domine virtutum, rex meus, et Deus meus.
Even the sparrow finds itself a home, and the turtledove a nest for herself where she may place her young—your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.
Word Notes:
- passer, passeris m. (3) – sparrow.
- invenio – invenire – inveni – inventum (4) – to find.
- turtur, -uris m./f. (3) – turtledove.
- nidus, -i m. (2) – nest.
- pono – ponere – posui – positum (3) – to place.
- pullus, -i m. (2) – young bird, chick.
- altare, altaris n. (3) – altar.
- rex, regis m. (3) – king.
Versus 4
Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine; in saecula saeculorum laudabunt te.
Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord; they will praise you forever and ever.
Word Notes:
- beatus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – blessed, happy.
- habito – habitare – habitavi – habitatum (1) – to dwell.
- laudo – laudare – laudavi – laudatum (1) – to praise.
- in saecula saeculorum – unto ages of ages; forever.
Versus 5
Beatus vir cujus est auxilium abs te; ascensiones in corde suo disposuit.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in you; in his heart he has set the paths of ascent.
Word Notes:
- auxilium, -ii n. (2) – help, strength.
- ascensio, -onis f. (3) – ascent, rising.
- dispono – disponere – disposui – dispositum (3) – to arrange, set in order.
- cor, cordis n. (3) – heart.
Versus 6
In valle lacrimarum, in loco quem posuit; etenim benedictionem dabit legislator.
In the valley of tears, in the place he has appointed; indeed the lawgiver will give a blessing.
Word Notes:
- vallis, vallis f. (3) – valley.
- lacrima, -ae f. (1) – tear.
- locus, -i m. (2) – place.
- pono – ponere – posui – positum (3) – to appoint, place.
- legislator, -oris m. (3) – lawgiver.
- benedictio, -onis f. (3) – blessing.
Versus 7
Ibunt de virtute in virtutem; videbitur Deus deorum in Sion.
They will go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
Word Notes:
- eo – ire – ii – itum (irr.) – to go.
- virtus, virtutis f. (3) – strength, virtue, power.
- video – videre – vidi – visum (2) – to see.
- Deus deorum – the God of gods.
- Sion, -is f. (3) – Zion.
Versus 8
Domine Deus virtutum, exaudi orationem meam; auribus percipe, Deus Jacob.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob.
Word Notes:
- exaudi(o) – exaudire – exaudivi – exauditum (4) – to hear favourably.
- oratio, -onis f. (3) – prayer.
- auribus percipere – to perceive with the ears; to listen closely.
- percipio – percipere – percepi – perceptum (3) – to take in, perceive.
Versus 9
Protector noster, aspice, Deus, et respice in faciem Christi tui.
O God our protector, look upon us, and behold the face of your Christ.
Word Notes:
- protector, -oris m. (3) – protector, defender.
- aspicio – aspicere – aspexi – aspectum (3/4) – to look at.
- respicere – to look upon, regard again.
- Christus, -i m. (2) – anointed one; here messiah.
Versus 10
Quia melior est dies una in atriis tuis super millia; elegi abjectus esse in domo Dei mei, magis quam habitare in tabernaculis peccatorum.
For one day in your courts is better than a thousand; I have chosen rather to be lowly in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of sinners.
Word Notes:
- melior – better (comparative of bonus).
- mille / millia – thousand / thousands.
- eligo – eligere – elegi – electum (3) – to choose.
- abjectus, -a, -um (adj. 1/2) – lowly, cast down.
- tabernaculum, -i n. (2) – tent, dwelling.
- peccator, -oris m. (3) – sinner.
Versus 11
Quia sol et scutum Dominus Deus; gratiam et gloriam dabit Dominus; non privabit bonis eos, qui ambulant in innocentia.
For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; he will not withhold good things from those who walk in innocence.
Word Notes:
- sol, solis m. (3) – sun.
- scutum, -i n. (2) – shield.
- gratia, -ae f. (1) – favour, grace.
- gloria, -ae f. (1) – glory.
- privo – privare – privavi – privatum (1) – to deprive, withhold.
- ambo / ambulo – ambulare – ambulavi – ambulatum (1) – to walk.
- innocentia, -ae f. (1) – innocence.
Versus 12
Domine virtutum, beatus homo qui sperat in te.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Word Notes:
- spero – sperare – speravi – speratum (1) – to hope, trust.
- homo, hominis m. (3) – man, human being.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 83 (Vulgate) is one of the most beautiful and beloved psalms of pilgrimage. Its themes are tender, intimate, and spiritual:
- Longing for God.
The psalmist’s whole being—anima, cor, caro—yearns for the divine presence. Spiritual desire is portrayed as physical and emotional ache. - The sacred dwelling.
Both humans and birds find shelter near God’s altar. The simplicity of sparrows and doves reveals the universal instinct to rest in a sanctuary. - The journey of ascent.
“Ibunt de virtute in virtutem” captures the spiritual pilgrimage: strength is not given once, but renewed step by step. - A redefinition of blessedness.
Blessedness is not prosperity but nearness to God—even as the humblest servant at the threshold.
This psalm is perfectly aligned with your project’s focus on inner spirituality rather than metaphysical doctrine: the journey is inward, the blessing is presence, the sanctuary is symbolic.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
- How lovely are your tabernacles.
- Blessed are they who dwell in your house.
- They go from strength to strength.
- One day in your courts is better than a thousand.
Key:
- Quam dilecta tabernacula tua.
- Beati qui habitant in domo tua.
- Ibunt de virtute in virtutem.
- Melior est dies una in atriis tuis super millia.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Present / imperfect / future:
- deficio – deficere
- invenio – invenire
- eligo – eligere
- privō – privare
- spero – sperare
Model Answers:
- deficio / deficiebam / deficiam
- invenio / inveniebam / inveniam
- eligo / eligebam / eligam
- privo / pribabam / privabo (note the i → euphonics)
- spero / sperabam / sperabo
(c) Reflection Questions
- How does the psalm combine physical imagery (heart, flesh, birds, valleys) with spiritual longing?
- What does “from strength to strength” suggest about human growth?
- Why does the psalmist prefer lowliness in God’s house over comfort elsewhere?