Here is Psalmus 95 (Vulgate) – Cantate Domino canticum novum, following the structure of Psalms 90–94 precisely.
By GRAHAM JOHN on Sunday, November 30, 2025
(= Psalm 96 in Hebrew numbering)
Cantate Domino canticum novum
A psalm of renewal, universality, and the inner song of transformation.
No truncation required.
Versus 1
Cantate Domino canticum novum; cantate Domino, omnis terra.
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Word Notes:
- canto – cantare – cantavi – cantatum (1) – to sing.
- canticum, -i n. (2) – song.
- novus, -a, -um – new.
Versus 2
Cantate Domino, et benedicite nomini ejus; annuntiate de die in diem salutare ejus.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation from day to day.
Word Notes:
- benedico – benedicere – benedixi – benedictum (3) – to bless.
- annuntio – annuntiare – to announce, proclaim.
- salutare, -is n. – salvation.
Versus 3
Annuntiate inter gentes gloriam ejus, in omnibus populis mirabilia ejus.
Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples.
Word Notes:
- gens, gentis f. (3) – nation.
- gloria, -ae f. – glory.
- mirabile, -is n. – wonder, marvellous work.
Versus 4
Quoniam magnus Dominus, et laudabilis nimis; terribilis est super omnes deos.
For the Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy; he is to be feared above all gods.
Word Notes:
- laudabilis, -e – praiseworthy.
- terribilis, -e – fearful, awe-inspiring.
Versus 5
Quoniam omnes dii gentium dæmonia; Dominus autem cælos fecit.
For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens.
Word Notes:
- daemonium, -ii n. – idol, false god (in Vulgate usage).
- caelum, -i n. – heaven, sky.
Versus 6
Confessio et pulchritudo in conspectu ejus; sanctimonia et magnificentia in sanctificatione ejus.
Praise and beauty are before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.
Word Notes:
- pulchritudo, -inis f. – beauty.
- sanctimonia, -ae f. – holiness.
- magnificentia, -ae f. – majesty.
Versus 7
Afferte Domino, patriæ gentium, afferte Domino gloriam et honorem;
Bring to the Lord, O families of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honour.
Word Notes:
- affero – afferre – attuli – allatum (irreg.) – to bring.
- patria, -ae f. – nation, family, clan.
- honor, -oris m. – honour.
Versus 8
Afferte Domino gloriam nomini ejus; tollite hostias, et introite in atria ejus.
Give to the Lord glory due to his name; bring offerings and enter his courts.
Word Notes:
- hostia, -ae f. – offering.
- atrium, -ii n. – court, courtyard.
Versus 9
Adorate Dominum in atrio sancto ejus; commoveatur a facie ejus universa terra.
Worship the Lord in his holy court; let the whole earth tremble before him.
Word Notes:
- commoveor – commoveri – commotus sum – to tremble, be moved.
Versus 10
Dicite in gentibus, quia Dominus regnavit. Etenim correxit orbem terræ, qui non commovebitur;
judicabit populos in æquitate.
Say among the nations: The Lord has reigned.
For he has set the world firm, so that it shall not be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
Word Notes:
- corrigo – corrigere – correxi – correctum (3) – to set right, make firm.
- aequitas, -atis f. – fairness, equity.
Versus 11
Lætentur cæli, et exsultet terra; commoveatur mare et plenitudo ejus;
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; let the sea be stirred up with its fullness.
Word Notes:
- laetor – laetari (dep. 1) – to rejoice.
- plenitudo, -inis f. – fullness.
Versus 12
Gaudebunt campi, et omnia quæ in eis sunt; tunc exsultabunt omnia ligna silvarum
The fields will rejoice, and everything in them; then all the trees of the forest shall exult.
Word Notes:
- campus, -i m. – field, plain.
- lignum, -i n. – tree, wood.
Versus 13
a facie Domini, quia venit; quoniam venit judicare terram.
Judicabit orbem terræ in æquitate, et populos in veritate sua.
Before the Lord, for he comes; for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with equity, and the peoples with his truth.
Word Notes:
- veritas, -atis f. (3) – truth, reliability.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 95 is one of the great hymns of universal joy and divine sovereignty.
- The “new song” as inner renewal
A canticum novum is not new content but a new consciousness.
It marks the beginning of inner transformation. - Universality and inclusion
“All the earth,” “all peoples,” “the nations”:
this is one of the most outward-looking psalms.
The divine presence is not tribal but universal. - Cosmic joy
Heavens, seas, fields, forests — the entire cosmos rejoices.
In psychological terms: harmony between inner life and outer world. - Judgment as alignment, not punishment
God “judges in equity and truth,” not wrath.
In your framework, this is the inner straightening of the self —
consciousness aligning with reality.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- Sing to the Lord a new song.
- Declare his glory among the nations.
- Worship the Lord in his holy court.
- He will judge the peoples with equity.
Key:
- Cantate Domino canticum novum.
- Annuntiate inter gentes gloriam ejus.
- Adorate Dominum in atrio sancto ejus.
- Judicabit populos in aequitate.
(b) Verb Form Practice
Give present / imperfect / future:
- canto – cantare
- benedico – benedicere
- affero – afferre
- adoro – adorare
- laetor – laetari
Model Answers:
canto / cantabam / cantabo
benedico / benedicebam / benedicam
affero / afferrebam / afferam
adoro / adorabam / adorabo
laetor / laetabar / laetabor
(c) Reflection Questions
- What does a “new song” mean in your psychological reading of the Psalms?
- Why does this psalm emphasise the entire creation rejoicing?
- How do “equity” and “truth” represent inner balance or moral clarity?