Here is Psalmus 96 (Vulgate) – Dominus regnavit, exsultet terra in your established Study Format, following Psalms 90–95 exactly.
By GRAHAM JOHN on Monday, December 1, 2025
(= Psalm 97 in Hebrew numbering)
Dominus regnavit, exsultet terra
A psalm of cosmic splendour, justice, and the radiance of divine presence.
No truncation required.
Versus 1
Dominus regnavit, exsultet terra; lætentur insulæ multæ.
The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult; let the many islands rejoice.
Word Notes:
- exsulto – exsultare – to rejoice, exult.
- insula, -ae f. – island, far-off land.
Versus 2
Nubes et caligo in circuitu ejus; justitia et judicium correctio sedis ejus.
Clouds and darkness are around him; justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
Word Notes:
- nubes, -is f. (3) – cloud.
- caligo, -inis f. (3) – darkness.
- correctio, -onis f. – foundation, firmness (lit. “setting right”).
- sedeo – sedere – to sit; sedeō → sēdēs = seat, throne.
Versus 3
Ignis ante ipsum præcedet, et inflammabit in circuitu inimicos ejus.
Fire shall go before him and burn up his enemies round about.
Word Notes:
- praecedo – praecedere – praecessi – praecessum (3) – to go before.
- inflammare – to burn, set alight.
Versus 4
Illuxerunt fulgura ejus orbi terræ; vidit et commota est terra.
His lightnings shone forth upon the world; the earth saw and was shaken.
Word Notes:
- illuceo – illucere – to shine forth.
- fulgur, -uris n. (3) – lightning.
- commoveor – commoveri – commotus sum – to be shaken, moved.
Versus 5
Montes sicut cera fluxerunt a facie Domini; a facie Domini omnis terra.
The mountains melted like wax before the Lord; before the Lord of all the earth.
Word Notes:
- cera, -ae f. – wax.
- fluō – fluere – fluxi – fluxum (3) – to flow, melt.
Versus 6
Annuntiaverunt cæli justitiam ejus, et viderunt omnes populi gloriam ejus.
The heavens proclaimed his justice, and all peoples saw his glory.
Word Notes:
- annuntio – annuntiare – to proclaim.
- justitia, -ae f. – justice.
- gloria, -ae f. – glory.
Versus 7
Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia, et qui gloriantur in simulacris suis.
Adorate eum, omnes angeli ejus.
Let all who worship idols be confounded, and those who boast in their images.
Worship him, all you his angels.
Word Notes:
- sculptile, -is n. – carved image, idol.
- simulacrum, -i n. – image, statue.
- confundo – confundere – confudi – confusum (3) – to confound, bring to shame.
Versus 8
Audivit, et lætata est Sion; et exsultaverunt filiæ Judæ propter judicia tua, Domine.
Zion heard and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judah exulted because of your judgments, O Lord.
Word Notes:
- filia, -ae f. – daughter; poetic for “villages.”
- judicium, -ii n. – judgment.
Versus 9
Quoniam tu Dominus Altissimus super omnem terram; nimis exaltatus es super omnes deos.
For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exceedingly exalted above all gods.
Word Notes:
- exalto – exaltare – to lift up, exalt.
- Altissimus, -i m. – the Most High.
Versus 10
Qui diligitis Dominum, odite malum; custodit animas sanctorum suorum, de manu peccatoris liberabit eos.
You who love the Lord, hate evil; he guards the souls of his saints, he will deliver them from the hand of the sinner.
Word Notes:
- odi – odisse (defective verb) – to hate.
- custodio – custodire – to guard, watch over.
- libero – liberare – to deliver.
Versus 11
Lux orta est justo, et rectis corde lætitia.
Light has risen for the just, and joy for the upright in heart.
Word Notes:
- orior – oriri – ortus sum (dep. 4) – to arise.
- rectus, -a, -um – upright, straight.
Versus 12
Lætamini, justi, in Domino; et confitemini memoriæ sanctificationis ejus.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just; and give thanks to the memory of his holiness.
Word Notes:
- confiteor – confiteri – confessus sum (dep. 2) – to give thanks, confess.
- memoria, -ae f. – remembrance.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 96 is one of the great psalms of divine radiance and cosmic presence.
- A cosmic theophany
Clouds, fire, lightning, mountains melting —
this is mythic language expressing the overwhelming presence of the divine. - Justice as the foundation of reality
“Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.”
In your framework: consciousness rooted in truth and moral clarity. - The collapse of false images
Idols “fall to shame” once reality appears.
Psychologically: illusions dissolve in the light of truth. - Light for the just
The psalm closes with inner illumination:
lux orta est justo — light dawns in the heart of the just.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
- The Lord has reigned; let the earth rejoice.
- Fire goes before him.
- Light has risen for the just.
- Rejoice in the Lord, you just.
Key:
- Dominus regnavit, exsultet terra.
- Ignis ante ipsum praecedit.
- Lux orta est justo.
- Lætamini, justi, in Domino.
(b) Verb Form Practice — present / imperfect / future
- exsulto – exsultare
- inflammare
- confundo – confundere
- orior – oriri
- custodio – custodire
Model answers:
exsulto / exsultabam / exsultabo
inflammo / inflammabam / inflammabo
confundo / confundebam / confundam
orior / oriebar / oriar
custodio / custodiebam / custodiam
(c) Reflection Questions
- How does the cosmic imagery (clouds, fire, melting mountains) function as psychological symbolism?
- What does it mean that “light has arisen for the just”?
- How does this psalm contrast the collapse of illusions with the dawn of inner clarity?