Tenebrae/28 - Psalm 4: On the Church

Today in this Lenten series on the psalms of Tenebrae we have reached the psalms set for Tenebrae of Holy Saturday.

Psalm 4 is normally said at Compline, but its inclusion in Tenebrae is presumably because of the verse: In pace in idípsum dórmiam et requiéscam (In peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will rest), for today's Office recalls Christ’s ‘resting’ in the tomb.

The sixth century commentator Cassiodorus interprets the psalm as being about the creation of the great community that is the Church, born of that preaching of Christ both to those alive, and to the dead:

"Throughout the psalm the words are spoken by holy mother Church. She is not a ghostly fashioning of our hearts' imagination, like 'fatherland' or 'state' or something without living personality; the Church is the aggregate of all the holy faithful, one soul and one heart, the bride of Christ, the Jerusalem of the age to come...In the first section she asks that her prayer be heard, and rebukes the faithless for worshipping false gods and neglecting worship of the true God. In the second part she warns the world at large that it must abandon deceitful superstition, and offer the sacrifice of justice. Then in her attempt to win over the minds of pagans by the promise she has made, she relates that the Lord has bestowed great gifts on Christians…"

Psalm 4: Cum invocarem

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
In finem, in carminibus. Psalmus David.	Unto the end, in verses. A psalm for David.
1 Cum invocárem exaudívit me deus justítiæ meæ: *  in tribulatióne dilatásti mihi.	When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, you have enlarged me.
2 Miserére mei, * et exáudi oratiónem meam.	Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
3 Filii hóminum, úsquequo gravi corde? *  ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quæritis mendácium?	O you sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4 Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit dóminus sanctum suum: * dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero ad eum.	Know also that the Lord has made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
5 Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre: * quæ dícitis in córdibus vestris, in cubílibus vestris compungímini.	Be angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
6 Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, et speráte in dómino, * multi dicunt quis osténdit nobis bona?	Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who shows us good things?
7 Signátum est super nos lumen vultus tui, dómine: *  dedísti lætítiam in corde meo.	The light of your countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: you have given gladness in my heart.
8 A fructu fruménti, vini et ólei sui * multiplicáti sunt.	By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, they rest
9 In pace in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam;	In peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will rest
10 Quóniam tu, dómine, singuláriter in spe * constituísti me.	For you, O Lord, singularly have settled me in hope.

Tenebrae of Holy Saturday

Nocturn I: Psalms 4, 14, 15

Nocturn II: Psalms 23, 26, 29

Nocturn III: Psalms 53*, 75*, 87*

Lauds: 50*, 91, 63, [Is 38], 150

And for the next part in this series go here.

You can also find some short summaries of this psalm by various authors here.

Tenebrae/27 - Psalm 147: Winter is over

Hans von Tübingen, 1380-1462

Tenebrae of Good Friday concludes with Psalm 147, which celebrates our salvation.

The antiphon once again gives us the words of the good thief on the Cross: remember me Lord, when you come into your kingdom, but the main message of the psalm is that winter is over and the thaw is finally here.  The way to heaven was barred: but God is working to reopen the way.

We should take up the invitation he offers, and give thanks for the great gift he has given us.

Psalm 147 – Lauda Jerusalem

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.	Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise your God, O Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.	Because he has strengthened the bolts of your gates, he has blessed your children within you
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.	Who has placed peace in your borders: and fills you with the fat of corn.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.	Who sends forth his speech to the earth: his word runs swiftly.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.	Who gives snow like wool: scatters mists like ashes.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?	He sends his crystal like morsels: who shall stand before the face of his cold?
7  Emíttet verbum suum, et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus, et fluent aquæ.	He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias, et judícia sua Israël.	Who declares his word to Jacob: his justices and his judgments to Israel
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.	He has not done in like manner to every nation: and his judgments he has not made manifest to them. Alleluia.

Tenebrae of Good Friday

Nocturn I: Psalms 2, 21, 26

Nocturn II: Psalms 37, 39, 53*

Nocturn III: Psalms 58, 87*, 93

Lauds: 50*, 142, 84, [Hab], 147

And you can find the next part of this series here.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	2 Thess 3:1 (4); Acts 14:16 (9)
RB cursus	Saturday Vespers+AN 3582 (1)
Monastic feasts etc	Corpus Christi 2nd Vespers; Good Friday Tenebrae Lauds; Vespers for dedication of a church AN 1734 (2); 2884 (7);1882, 4566 (13)
Responsories	6735: Several martyrs TP no 7 (Filiae) v (13) 7390 (Easter 3 no:11; alt v, 13)
Roman pre 1911	Saturday Vespers
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Friday Lauds .
Mass propers (EF)	Palm Sunday procession Votive Mass for peace AL (1), Paschaltide AL (3)

Tenebrae/26 - Canticle of Habbacuc

The fig tree will not blossom

Today a brief look at the Lauds canticle - a 'psalm' from the Book of Habacuc, or Habakkuk.

Declaring the mystery of Christ's Passion

Habakkuk is one of the twelve 'minor prophets', but almost nothing is known about him save what can be inferred from his book, which was probably composed around 597-625 BC, when the neo-Babylonian empire was expanding and was poised to attack Jerusalem.

In the first chapter of his book, the prophet complains to God about the unjustness of Israel’s oppression, but is told that the Chaldeans (neo-Babylonians) are a weapon God has chosen to use to purify his people.  The second chapter is a vision of God’s judgment on the wicked, with the proclamation of five curses on the oppressors.  The final chapter, the canticle, culminates in the revelation of the glory and victory of God, who saves the just man.

Christian interpreters naturally read the prophecy and the canticle, though, in the light of Christ, as a proclamation of the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion.  Hrabanus Maurus (780-856), for example sees it as:

“…belonging to the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of which the heavens declare the mysteries, and are also sung in the Church, so it is made known to all, in which way the sixth day, in which the first man is established anew, the human race is restored to life everlasting through Christ.”

What the prophet is hearing of, in verse 1, in this interpretation, is Christ’s Passion on the Cross.  The horns in verse 6, then are the nails of the cross; the reference to ‘his hidden strength’ that follows points to our salvation; the comment that death goes before him to his conquest of sheol; and the earth standing still (v.8) is another reference to the earthquake at the moment of Our Lord’s death.  As St Augustine comments: “What is there stronger than that hand which conquered the world, not armed, but transfixed with iron.” St Augustine also suggests that the reference to God remembering his mercy in the midst of his anger is reflected in Christ’s plea to the Father that those who crucified him be forgiven, for they know not what they do.

The repeated references in the canticle to ‘in the midst of years’ point to the idea that God intervenes in history, as Pope John Paul II’s catechesis on this canticle pointed out:

“For the sacred author, the Lord's entry into the world has a precise meaning. He wills to enter into human history "in the course of the years" as repeated twice in verse 2, to judge and make its affairs better which we conduct in such a confused and at times perverse way… Then God shows his indignation (cf. v.2c) against evil. And the hymn mentions a series of inexorable divine interventions, but without specifying if these are direct or indirect actions.”

Verses 9-18 recall God’s past interventions, recorded in the book of Exodus and Judges.  In verse 19, Christ’s incarnation is reiterated – and then we are presented at a series of images of God’s anger at the death of his son, and the consequences for the earth in the lands barren of crops and flocks, are a reminder that God is not indifferent to what we do, far from it!  The canticle ends though, on a high note, with the speaker rejoicing at the saving grace that enables us to reach heaven.

Canticle of Habacuc

Habacuc 3:2-19 

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Oratio Habacuc prophetæ, pro ignorantiis	A prayer of Habacuc the Prophet for ignorances
1 Dómine, audívi auditiónem tuam: * et tímui.	2 O Lord, I have heard your hearing, and was afraid.
2  Dómine, opus tuum, *  in médio annórum vivífica illud.	O Lord, your work, in the midst of the years bring it to life
3  In médio annórum notum fácies: * cum irátus fúeris, misericórdiæ recordáberis.	In the midst of the years you shall make it known: when you are angry, you will remember mercy.
4  Deus ab Austro véniet: * et sanctus de monte Pharan.	3 God will come from the south, and the holy one from mount Pharan:
5  Opéruit cælos glória ejus: * et laudis ejus plena est terra.	His glory covered the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise.
6  Splendor ejus ut lux erit: * córnua in mánibus ejus:	4 His brightness shall be as the light: horns are in his hands:
7   Ibi abscóndita est fortitúdo ejus : * ante fáciem ejus íbit mors.	There is his strength hid: 5 Death shall go before his face.
8   Et egrediétur diábolus ante pedes ejus. * Stetit, et mensus est terram.	And the devil shall go forth before his feet. 6 He stood and measured the earth.
9   Aspéxit, et dissólvit Gentes : * et contríti sunt montes sæculi.	He beheld, and melted the nations: and the ancient mountains were crushed to pieces.
10   Incurváti sunt colles mundi, * ab itinéribus æternitátis ejus.	The hills of the world were bowed down by the journeys of his eternity.
11  Pro iniquitáte vidi tentória Æthiópiæ: * turbabúntur pelles terræ Mádian.	7 I saw the tents of Ethiopia for their iniquity, the curtains of the land of Madian shall be troubled.
12  Numquid in flumínibus irátus es, Dómine? * aut in flumínibus furor tuus? vel in mari indignátio tua?	8 Were you angry, O Lord, with the rivers? Or was your wrath upon the rivers? Or your indignation in the sea?
13  Qui ascéndes super equos tuos: * et quadrígæ tuæ salvátio.	Who will ride upon your horses: and your chariots are salvation
14  Súscitans suscitábis arcum tuum: * juraménta tríbubus quæ locútus es.	9 You will surely take up your bow: according to the oaths which you have spoken to the tribes.
15  Flúvios scindes terræ : vidérunt te, et doluérunt montes: * gurges aquárum tránsiit.	You will divide the rivers of the earth. 10 The mountains saw you, and were grieved: the great body of waters passed away.
16  Dedit abyssus vocem suam: * altitúdo manus suas levávit.	The deep put forth its voice: the deep lifted up its hands.
17  Sol, et luna stetérunt in habitáculo suo, * in luce sagittárum tuárum, íbunt in splendóre fulgurántis hastæ tuæ.	11 The sun and the moon stood still in their habitation, in the light of your arrows, they shall go in the brightness of your glittering spear.
18  In frémitu conculcábis terram: * et in furóre obstupefácies Gentes.	12 In your anger you will tread the earth under foot: in your wrath you will astonish the nations.
19  Egréssus es in salútem pópuli tui: * in salútem cum Christo tuo.	13 You went forth for the salvation of your people: for salvation with your Christ.
20  Percussísti caput de domo ímpii: * denudásti fundaméntum ejus usque ad collum.	You struck the head of the house of the wicked: you have laid bare his foundation even to the neck.
21  Maledixísti sceptris ejus, cápiti bellatórum ejus, * veniéntibus ut turbo ad dispergéndum me.	14 You have cursed his sceptres, the head of his warriors, them that came out as a whirlwind to scatter me.
22  Exsultátio eórum, * sicut ejus, qui dévorat páuperem in abscóndito.	Their joy was like that of him that devours the poor man in secret.
23  Viam fecísti in mari equis tuis, * in luto aquárum multárum.	15 You made a way in the sea for your horses, in the mud of many waters.
24  Audívi, et conturbátus est venter meus: * a voce contremuérunt lábia mea.	16 I have heard and my bowels were troubled: my lips trembled at the voice.
25  Ingrediátur putrédo in óssibus meis, * et subter me scáteat.	Let rottenness enter into my bones, and swarm under me.
26  Ut requiéscam in die tribulatiónis: * ut ascéndam ad pópulum accínctum nostrum.	That I may rest in the day of tribulation: that I may go up to our people that are girded.
27  Ficus enim non florébit: * et non erit germen in víneis.	17 For the fig tree shall not blossom: and there shall be no spring in the vines.
28  Mentiétur opus olívae: * et arva non áfferent cibum.	The labour of the olive tree shall fail: and the fields shall yield no food:
29  Abscindétur de ovíli pecus: * et non erit arméntum in præsépibus.	the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls.
30  Ego autem in Dómino gaudébo: * et exsultábo in Deo Jesu meo.	18 But I will rejoice in the Lord: and I will joy in God my Jesus.
31  Deus Dóminus fortitúdo mea: * et ponet pedes meos quasi cervórum.	19 The Lord God is my strength: and he will make my feet like the feet of harts:
32  Et super excélsa mea dedúcet me victor * in psalmis canéntem.	and he the conqueror will lead me upon my high places singing psalms.

Tenebrae of Good Friday

Nocturn I: Psalms 2, 21, 26

Nocturn II: Psalms 37, 39, 53*

Nocturn III: Psalms 58, 87*, 93

Lauds: 50*, 142, 84, [Hab], 147

And the next part of this series can be found here.

Tenebrae/25 - Psalm 84: The call to conversion

Although not part of the ancient version (pre-1911) of this hour, today's psalm, Psalm 84, continues the meditation on our coming Redemption through Christ's sacrifice on the Cross.

The antiphon sets the tone, with the words of the good thief, asking Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom.

Almost but not yet

In fact the psalm captures the whole 'almost but not yet' flavour of these end times.

The original historical context for the psalm is thought to be the disappointments that faced the returnees from Exile.  The people rejoice at their new-found freedom; yet the pall of God's continuing anger still seems to hang over them.

In the context of Good Friday, the message is all the more poignant, as Fr Pius Pasch comments:

"...Through Christ's death on the Cross the debt of sin has been wiped away (1st strophe), and the fruit of that death will now be given to him who asks (2nd strophe).  Again God walks here below with man.  Peace and justice, banished from the earth since the first sin, embrace beneath the Cross."

Accordingly, the psalm looks forward to the heavenly kingdom, where

"Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice has looked down from heaven."

But its key message for us at this moment in time, is the call to conversion: "Convert us, O God our saviour: and turn off your anger from us."

The text of the psalm and other liturgical uses of it

Psalm 84

Benedixísti, Dómine, terram tuam: * avertísti captivitátem Iacob.	Lord, you have blessed your land: you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Remisísti iniquitátem plebis tuæ: * operuísti ómnia peccáta eórum.	You have forgiven the iniquity of your people: you have covered all their sins.
Mitigásti omnem iram tuam: * avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ	You have mitigated all your anger: you have turned away from the wrath of your indignation.
Convérte nos, Deus, salutáris noster: * et avérte iram tuam a nobis.	Convert us, O God our saviour: and turn off your anger from us.
Numquid in ætérnum irascéris nobis? * aut exténdes iram tuam a generatióne in generatiónem?	Will you be angry with us forever: or will you extend your wrath from generation to generation?
Deus, tu convérsus vivificábis nos: * et plebs tua lætábitur in te.	You will turn, O God, and bring us to life: and your people shall rejoice in you.
Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam: * et salutáre tuum da nobis.	Show us, O Lord, your mercy; and grant us your salvation.
Audiam quid loquátur in me Dóminus Deus: * quóniam loquétur pacem in plebem suam.	I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people:
Et super sanctos suos: * et in eos, qui convertúntur ad cor.	And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
Verúmtamen prope timéntes eum salutáre ipsíus: * ut inhábitet glória in terra nostra.	Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.
Misericórdia, et véritas obviavérunt sibi: * iustítia, et pax osculátæ sunt.	Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
Véritas de terra orta est: * et iustítia de cælo prospéxit.	Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice has looked down from heaven.
Etenim Dóminus dabit benignitátem: * et terra nostra dabit fructum suum.	For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
Iustítia ante eum ambulábit: * et ponet in via gressus suos.	Justice shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.	Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.	As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

NT references	2 Peter 2:21 (7); Jn 1:14 (10);  Lk 2:14;Jn 1:17 (11)
RB cursus	Matins Thursday, II, 6
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Good Friday Tenebrae Lauds; Nativity; Corpus Christi; Sacred Heart; Common of BVM; Assumption; Common of Virgins
Roman pre 1911	Friday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Friday Lauds . 1970:
Mass propers (EF)	PP 23, IN (1)

Tenebrae of Good Friday

Nocturn I: Psalms 2, 21, 26

Nocturn II: Psalms 37, 39, 53*

Nocturn III: Psalms 58, 87*, 93

Lauds: 50*, 142, [84,] [Hab], 147

And the next part of this series can be found here. 

Tenebrae/24 - Psalm 142: I stretch out my hands

Today's psalm, Psalm 142, the second of Lauds (after Psalm 50) for Good Friday, is the last of the Penitential Psalms.

Desolation on the Cross

Its inclusion in Good Friday Tenebrae (and Friday in the older version of the Roman Office) presumably depends above all on the verse 'I stretched forth my hands to you'.  But the whole dark tone of the psalm, a plea for help, is particularly apt for that dark time when Christ struggled on the Cross:

"For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten
my life down to the ground; he hath laid me in the darkness,
as the men that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit
vexed within me, and my heart within me is desolate." (Coverdale)

Yet it is also a psalm that speaks of a deep longing to be with God, and foreshadows for us, the gift of the Holy Spirit, possibly why St Benedict places it at Saturday Lauds instead:

"Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; for I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee; for thou art my God. Let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name’s sake; and for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble."

The psalm closes with a reminder that we at at war, not just with earthly forces and our own sinful inclinations, but also but with diabolic powers.  This is not one we can win for ourselves alone, but need God's aid to triumph:

"And of thy goodness slay mine enemies, and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant."

Psalm 142

Psalm 142: Domine, exausi orationem meam

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Psalmus David, quando persequebatur eum Absalom filius ejus.	A psalm of David, when his son Absalom pursued him
1 Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam: áuribus pércipe obsecratiónem meam in veritáte tua : * exáudi me in tua justítia.	Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in your truth: hear me in your justice.
2  Et non intres in judícium cum servo tuo: * quia non justificábitur in conspéctu tuo omnis vivens.	And enter not into judgment with your servant: for in your sight no man living shall be justified.
3  Quia persecútus est inimícus ánimam meam: * humiliávit in terra vitam meam.	For the enemy has persecuted my soul: he has brought down my life to the earth.
4  Collocávit me in obscúris sicut mórtuos sæculi : * et anxiátus est super me spíritus meus, in me turbátum est cor meum.	He has made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old: And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
5  Memor fui diérum antiquórum, meditátus sum in ómnibus opéribus tuis: * in factis mánuum tuárum meditábar.	I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all your works: I meditated upon the works of your hands.
6  Expándi manus meas ad te: * ánima mea sicut terra sine aqua tibi.	I stretched forth my hands to you: my soul is as earth without water unto you.
7  Velóciter exáudi me, Dómine: * defécit spíritus meus.	Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit has fainted away.
8  Non avértas fáciem tuam a me: * et símilis ero descendéntibus in lacum.	Turn not away your face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
9  Audítam fac mihi mane misericórdiam tuam: * quia in te sperávi.	Cause me to hear your mercy in the morning; for in you have I hoped.
10  Notam fac mihi viam, in qua ámbulem: * quia ad te levávi ánimam meam.	Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to you.
11  Eripe me de inimícis meis, Dómine, ad te confúgi: * doce me fácere voluntátem tuam, quia Deus meus es tu.	Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to you have I fled: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
12  Spíritus tuus bonus dedúcet me in terram rectam: * propter nomen tuum, Dómine, vivificábis me, in æquitáte tua.	Your good spirit shall lead me into the right land: For your name's sake, O Lord, you will quicken me in your justice.
13  Edúces de tribulatióne ánimam meam: * et in misericórdia tua dispérdes inimícos meos.	You will bring my soul out of trouble: And in your mercy you will destroy my enemies.
14  Et perdes omnes, qui tríbulant ánimam meam, * quóniam ego servus tuus sum.	And you will cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am your servant.

Tenebrae of Good Friday

Nocturn I: Psalms 2, 21, 26

Nocturn II: Psalms 37, 39, 53*

Nocturn III: Psalms 58, 87*, 93

Lauds: 50*, 142, 84, [Hab], 147

And you can find the next part in this series here.