Here is Psalmus 97 (Vulgate) – Cantate Domino canticum novum in Study Format, following Psalms 90–96 exactly.
By GRAHAM JOHN on Monday, December 1, 2025
(= Psalm 98 in Hebrew numbering)
Cantate Domino canticum novum
A psalm of victory, renewal, and the unveiling of divine justice.
No truncation required.
Versus 1
Cantate Domino canticum novum, quia mirabilia fecit. Salvavit sibi dextera ejus, et brachium sanctum ejus.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm have brought him salvation.
Word Notes:
- mirabile, -is n. – wonder, marvellous deed.
- salvo – salvare – to save.
- dextera, -ae f. – right hand (symbol of power).
- brachium, -ii n. – arm.
Versus 2
Notum fecit Dominus salutare suum; in conspectu gentium revelavit justitiam suam.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.
Word Notes:
- notum facio – to make known.
- revelo – revelare – to reveal, uncover.
- justitia, -ae f. – justice.
Versus 3
Recordatus est misericordiæ suæ et veritatis suæ domui Israël;
viderunt omnes termini terræ salutare Dei nostri.
He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Word Notes:
- recordor – recordari (dep.) – to remember.
- misericordia, -ae f. – mercy.
- terminus, -i m. – end, boundary.
Versus 4
Jubilate Deo omnis terra; cantate, et exsultate, et psallite.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing, rejoice, and play music.
Word Notes:
- jubilare – to shout for joy.
- psallo – psallere – to play (a stringed instrument).
Versus 5
Psallite Domino in cithara, in cithara et voce psalmi;
Play to the Lord on the harp, on the harp and with the voice of a psalm.
Word Notes:
- cithara, -ae f. – lyre, harp.
Versus 6
in tubis ductilibus, et voce tubæ corneæ. Jubilate in conspectu regis Domini.
With trumpets of hammered metal, and with the sound of the horn.
Shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Word Notes:
- tuba, -ae f. – trumpet.
- cornu, -us n. – horn.
Versus 7
Moveatur mare et plenitudo ejus; orbis terrarum, et qui habitant in eo.
Let the sea be stirred up and its fullness; the world and all who dwell in it.
Word Notes:
- moveor – moveri – motus sum – to be stirred, moved.
- orbis terrarum – the inhabited world.
Versus 8
Flumina plaudent manu; simul montes exsultabunt
The rivers shall clap their hands; together the mountains will exult.
Word Notes:
- plaudo – plaudere – plausi – plausum (3) – to clap, strike.
- mons, montis m. (3) – mountain.
Versus 9
a conspectu Domini, quoniam venit judicare terram.
Judicabit orbem terrarum in justitia, et populos in æquitate.
Before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice, and the peoples with equity.
Word Notes:
- judico – judicare – to judge.
- aequitas, -atis f. – fairness, equity.
Summary Commentary
Psalm 97 is a hymn of renewal, victory, and cosmic joy.
- The “new song” marks inner transformation
A canticum novum signifies a fresh consciousness —
the emergence of inner clarity, hope, and creative spirit. - Justice revealed openly
Nothing is hidden: “in conspectu gentium revelavit justitiam suam.”
In your framework: truth becomes unmistakable. - Nature joins the celebration
Seas, rivers, mountains respond — psychological imagery for
the harmonisation of the inner landscape. - Judgment as right-ordering
Judgment is not punitive but corrective: the setting right of the world
(and the self) through justice and equity.
Exercises
(a) English → Latin Translation
Translate:
- Sing to the Lord a new song.
- He has revealed his justice to the nations.
- The rivers shall clap their hands.
- He will judge the peoples with equity.
Key:
- Cantate Domino canticum novum.
- Revelavit justitiam suam in conspectu gentium.
- Flumina plaudent manu.
- Judicabit populos in aequitate.
(b) Verb Form Practice — present / imperfect / future
- salvo – salvare
- revelo – revelare
- jubilare
- moveor – moveri
- judico – judicare
Model answers:
salvo / salvabam / salvabo
revelo / revelabam / revelabo
jubilō / jubilābam / jubilābō
moveor / movebar / movebor
judico / judicabam / judicabo
(c) Reflection Questions
- What psychological meaning might “a new song” carry for the inner life?
- How does the imagery of rivers clapping and mountains exulting function symbolically?
- What does “judging with equity” suggest about inner alignment or moral truth?
