Total verses: 19 — no truncation necessary.
Domine Deus salutis meae
(= Psalm 88 in Hebrew numbering)
A uniquely dark psalm — often called the darkest prayer in Scripture. It is a cry from the edge of life, with no resolution and no light, making it spiritually indispensable.
Versus 1
Domine Deus salutis meae, in die clamavi et nocte coram te.
O Lord, God of my salvation, by day I cry and by night before you.
Word Notes:
- salus, salutis f. (3) – salvation.
- clamo – clamare – clamavi – clamatum (1) – to cry out.
- coram – before, in the presence of.
Versus 2
Intret oratio mea in conspectu tuo; inclina aurem tuam ad precem meam.
Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my supplication.
Word Notes:
- intret – let it enter (subj.).
- conspectus, -us m. (4) – sight, presence.
- prex, precis f. (3) – prayer.
Versus 3
Quia repleta est malis anima mea, et vita mea inferno appropinquavit.
For my soul is filled with evils, and my life has drawn near to the grave.
Word Notes:
- repleo – replere – replevi – repletum (2) – to fill.
- infernum, -i n. (2) – the underworld, grave.
Versus 4
Aestimatus sum cum descendentibus in lacum; factus sum sicut homo sine adjutorio,
I am counted among those who go down into the pit; I am become like one without strength,
Word Notes:
- aestimo – aestimare – aestimavi – aestimatum (1) – to regard, consider.
- descendo – descendere – descendi – descensum (3) – to descend.
- lacus, -us m. (4) – pit, cistern.
- adjutorium, -ii n. (2) – help.
Versus 5
inter mortuos liber, sicut vulnerati dormientes in sepulcris, quorum non es memor amplius; et ipsi de manu tua repulsi sunt.
Like the slain who lie in the grave, free among the dead, whom you remember no more; they are cut off from your hand.
Word Notes:
- liber – free, released.
- vulnero – vulnerare – vulneravi – vulneratum (1) – wound.
- sepulcrum, -i n. (2) – tomb.
- repello – repellere – reppuli – repulsum (3) – to drive away.
Versus 6
Posuerunt me in lacu inferiori, in tenebrosis, et in umbra mortis.
They have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
Word Notes:
- tenebrosus, -a, -um – dark.
- umbra mortis – shadow of death.
Versus 7
Super me confirmatus est furor tuus, et omnes fluctus tuos induxisti super me.
Your wrath has weighed heavily upon me, and all your waves you have brought over me.
Word Notes:
- furor, -oris m. (3) – wrath, rage.
- fluctus, -us m. (4) – wave.
- induco – inducere – induxi – inductum (3) – to bring in, bring upon.
Versus 8
Longe fecisti notos meos a me; posuerunt me abominationem sibi. Traditus sum, et non egrediebar.
You have put my acquaintances far from me; they have made me an abomination. I am shut in and cannot escape.
Word Notes:
- abominatio, -onis f. (3) – horror, revulsion.
- trado – tradere – tradidi – traditum (3) – to hand over, deliver.
- egredior – egredi – egressus sum (dep. 3) – to go out.
Versus 9
Oculi mei languerunt in inopia; clamavi ad te, Domine, tota die, expandi ad te manus meas.
My eyes have grown weak through misery; I cry to you, O Lord, all day long; I stretch out my hands to you.
Word Notes:
- langueo – languere – langui (2) – to grow weak.
- inopia, -ae f. (1) – want, misery.
- expando – expandere – expandi – expansum (3) – to stretch out.
Versus 10
Numquid mortuis facies mirabilia, aut medici suscitabunt, et confitebuntur tibi?
Will you work wonders for the dead, or shall the physicians raise them up that they may praise you?
Word Notes:
- mirabile facere – to work wonders.
- medicus, -i m. (2) – physician.
- suscito – suscitare – suscitavi – suscitatus (1) – raise up.
Versus 11
Numquid narrabit aliquis in sepulcro misericordiam tuam, et veritatem tuam in perditione?
Shall anyone proclaim your mercy in the grave, or your truth in destruction?
Word Notes:
- perditio, -onis f. (3) – destruction, ruin.
Versus 12
Numquid cognoscentur in tenebris mirabilia tua, et justitia tua in terra oblivionis?
Shall your wonders be known in the darkness, or your justice in the land of forgetfulness?
Word Notes:
- oblivio, -onis f. (3) – forgetfulness.
- terra oblivionis – the land of forgetfulness.
Versus 13
Et ego ad te, Domine, clamavi; et mane oratio mea praeveniet te.
But I, O Lord, have cried to you; and in the morning my prayer shall come before you.
Word Notes:
- praevenio – praevenire – praeveni – praeventum (4) – to come before, anticipate.
Versus 14
Ut quid, Domine, repellis orationem meam; avertis faciem tuam a me?
Why, O Lord, do you reject my prayer and turn your face away from me?
Word Notes:
- repello – repellere – reppuli – repulsum (3) – to reject, push away.
Versus 15
Pauper sum ego, et in laboribus a juventute mea; exaltatus autem, humiliatus sum et conturbatus.
I am poor and in labours since my youth; when exalted, I have been humbled and troubled.
Word Notes:
- labor, -oris m. (3) – toil, hardship.
- juventus, -utis f. (3) – youth.
- exalto – exaltare – exaltavi – exaltatum (1) – to exalt, lift up.
- humilio – humiliare – humiliavi – humiliatum (1) – to humble.
Versus 16
In me transierunt irae tuae, et terribiles tui conturbaverunt me.
Your wrath has passed over me, and your terrors have disquieted me.
Word Notes:
- transeo – transire – transii – transitum (irr.) – to pass over.
- terribilis, -e (adj. 3) – terrible, terrifying.
Versus 17
Circumdederunt me sicut aqua tota die; circumdederunt me simul.
They have surrounded me like water all the day; they have compassed me altogether.
Word Notes:
- circumdo – circumdare – circumdedi – circumdatum (1) – to surround.
- aqua, -ae f. (1) – water (as a metaphor for engulfing).
Versus 18
Elongasti a me amicum et proximum; et notos meos a miseria.
You have taken far from me friend and neighbour; my acquaintances are kept away by my misery.
Word Notes:
- elongo – elongare – elongavi – elongatum (1) – to remove far off.
- amicus, -i m. (2) – friend.
- proximus, -i m. (2) – neighbour.
Versus 19 (Vulgate final verse)
(Finis psalmi) In loco tenebroso collocasti me.
(End of psalm) You have placed me in a dark place.
Word Notes:
- colloco – collocare – collocavi – collocatum (1) – to place, set.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 87 is the only psalm that:
- Ends in darkness.
There is no resolution, no praise, no light. - Models honest despair as prayer.
It legitimises the human experience of abandonment and depression. - Insists that even hopelessness belongs before God.
The psalmist never stops crying out — even though he feels unheard. - Speaks from the inner night.
In your interpretive framework, this psalm exposes the shadow-self, the depth of unredeemed consciousness, the point where the ego fails and cries into silence.
It is indispensable for a psychologically honest spirituality.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
- My soul is filled with evils.
- Your wrath has passed over me.
- Why do you turn your face from me?
- You have removed my friend far from me.
Key:
- Repleta est malis anima mea.
- Transierunt in me irae tuae.
- Ut quid avertis faciem tuam a me?
- Elongasti a me amicum meum.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Present / imperfect / future:
- repleo – replere
- descendo – descendere
- transeo – transire
- colloco – collocare
- clamō – clamare
Model Answers:
- repleo / replebam / replebo
- descendo / descendebam / descendam
- transeo / transibam / transibo
- colloco / collocabam / collocabo
- clamo / clamabam / clamabo
(c) Reflection Questions
- Why does this psalm end without hope?
- How does the psalm validate the experience of spiritual darkness?
- In what sense is continuing to pray in despair a form of deep faith?