Psalm 104:Overview

In the Benedictine Office Psalm 104 is said on Saturdays at Matins.  It is, however, divided in two parts, making up the fifth and sixth psalms of the first Nocturn.

The work of redemption

The previous psalm praises God for his work of creation: this one focuses on his work of redemption.  It starts from Abraham and the promises made to him and takes us through Joseph; the second half in the Office starts 'And Israel went into Egypt' and describes the exit from Egypt under Moses.

It is also, as St Augustine notes, the first of the set of psalms prefixed by the word Alleluia (praise the Lord).  St Alphonsus Liguori remarked:

The prophet urges the Jews to praise God, and to thank him for all a benefits bestowed on their fathers. The first fifteen verses of this psalm form part of the Canticle of David (i Paral. xvi. 8-22), but with some differences of expression.

Cassiodorus summarised it as follows:

The Prophet, knowing that the people of Israel were accustomed to rest their hope in temporal blessings, warns the faithful in the first part, that they should ever seek it out spiritually. O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His Name. Secondly, he encourages them by the examples of the Patriarchs, for they were not forsaken by the LORD, because they obeyed His rule. Remember the marvellous works that He hath done. Thirdly, he details the great things He did for their fathers, and how He preserved Joseph and bestowed honours upon him; and commemorates the entrance of the He brews into Egypt. When there were yet but a few of them. Fourthly, he tells how Israel was avenged of his enemies, by the divers plagues of the Egyptians: Whose heart turned so. Fifthly, he describes what great things He did for them in the wilderness; that they should not rejoice in temporal good things, but softened by His bounties, keep His statutes and law. He brought them forth with silver and gold.

The text of the psalm

  Psalm 104/1

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Alleluja.	Alleluia
1  Confitémini Dómino, et invocáte nomen ejus: * annuntiáte inter Gentes ópera ejus.	Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles.
2  Cantáte ei, et psállite ei: * narráte ómnia mirabília ejus.	2 Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works.
3  Laudámini in nómine sancto ejus: * lætétur cor quæréntium Dóminum.	3 Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4  Quærite Dóminum, et confírmámini: * quærite fáciem ejus semper.	4 Seek the lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.
5  Mementóte mirabílium ejus, quæ fecit: * prodígia ejus, et judícia oris ejus.	5 Remember his marvellous works which he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.
6  Semen Abraham, servi ejus: * fílii Jacob, elécti ejus	6 O you seed of Abraham his servant; you sons of Jacob his chosen.
7  Ipse Dóminus Deus noster: * in univérsa terra judícia ejus.	7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8  Memor fuit in sæculum testaménti sui: * verbi, quod mandávit in mille generatiónes:	8 He has remembered his covenant for ever: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9  Quod dispósuit ad Abraham: * et juraménti sui ad Isaac:	9 Which he made to Abraham; and his oath to Isaac:
10  Et státuit illud Jacob in præcéptum: * et Israël in testaméntum ætérnum:	10 And he appointed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting testament:
11  Dicens: Tibi dabo terram Chánaan, * funículum hereditátis vestræ.	11 Saying: To you will I give the land of Chanaan, the lot of your inheritance.
12  Cum essent número brevi, * paucíssimi et íncolæ ejus:	12 When they were but a small number: yea very few, and sojourners therein:
13  Et pertransiérunt de gente in gentem, * et de regno ad pópulum álterum	13 And they passed from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.
14  Non relíquit hóminem nocére eis: * et corrípuit pro eis reges.	14 He suffered no man to hurt them: and he reproved kings for their sakes.
15  Nolíte tángere christos meos: * et in prophétis meis nolíte malignári.	15 Touch not my anointed: and do no evil to my prophets.
16 Et vocávit famem super terram: * et omne firmaméntum panis contrívit.	16 And he called a famine upon the land: and he broke in pieces all the support of bread.
17  Misit ante eos virum: * in servum venúmdatus est Joseph.	17 He sent a man before them: Joseph, who was sold for a slave.
18  Humiliavérunt in compédibus pedes ejus,  ferrum pertránsiit ánimam ejus * donec veníret verbum ejus.	18 They humbled his feet in fetters: the iron pierced his soul, 19 until his word came.
19  Elóquium Dómini inflammávit eum: * misit rex, et solvit eum; princeps populórum, et dimísit eum.	The word of the Lord inflamed him. 20 The king sent, and he released him: the ruler of the people, and he set him at liberty.
20  Constítuit eum dóminum domus suæ: * et príncipem omnis possessiónis suæ:	21 He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possession.
21  Ut erudíret príncipes ejus sicut semetípsum: * et senes ejus prudéntiam docéret.	22 That he might instruct his princes as himself, and teach his ancients wisdom.

(divisio)

Psalm 104/2

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
22  Et intrávit Israël in Ægyptum: * et Jacob áccola fuit in terra Cham.	23 And Israel went into Egypt: and Jacob was a sojourner in the land of Cham.
23  Et auxit pópulum suum veheménter: * et firmávit eum super inimícos ejus.	24 And he increased his people exceedingly: and strengthened them over their enemies.
24  Convértit cor eórum ut odírent pópulum ejus: * et dolum fácerent in servos ejus.	25 He turned their heart to hate his people: and to deal deceitfully with his servants.
25  Misit Móysen, servum suum: * Aaron, quem elégit ipsum.	26 He sent Moses his servant: Aaron the man whom he had chosen.
26  Pósuit in eis verba signórum suórum: * et prodigiórum in terra Cham.	27 He gave them power to show them signs, and his wonders in the land of Cham.
27 Misit ténebras, et obscurávit: * et non exacerbávit sermónes suos.	28 He sent darkness, and made it obscure: and grieved not his words.
28  Convértit aquas eórum in sánguinem: * et occídit pisces eórum.	29 He turned their waters into blood, and destroyed their fish.
29  Edidit terra eórum ranas: * in penetrálibus regum ipsórum.	30 Their land brought forth frogs, in the inner chambers of their kings.
30  Dixit, et venit cœnomyía: * et cínifes in ómnibus fínibus eórum.	31 He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies and sciniphs in all their coasts.
31  Pósuit plúvias eórum grándinem: * ignem comburéntem in terra ipsórum.	32 He gave them hail for rain, a burning fire in the land.
32  Et percússit víneas eórum, et ficúlneas eórum: * et contrívit lignum fínium eórum.	33 And he destroyed their vineyards and their fig trees: and he broke in pieces the trees of their coasts.
33  Dixit, et venit locústa, et bruchus, * cujus non erat númerus:	34 He spoke, and the locust came, and the bruchus, of which there was no number.
34  Et comédit omne fœnum in terra eórum: * et comédit omnem fructum terræ eórum.	35 And they devoured all the grass in their land, and consumed all the fruit of their ground.
35  Et percússit omne primogénitum in terra eórum: * primítias omnis labóris eórum	36 And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the firstfruits of all their labour.
36  Et edúxit eos cum argénto et auro: * et non erat in tríbubus eórum infírmus.	37 And he brought them out with silver and gold: and there was not among their tribes one that was feeble.
37  Lætáta est Ægyptus in profectióne eórum: * quia incúbuit timor eórum super eos.	38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them lay upon them.
38  Expándit nubem in protectiónem eórum: * et ignem ut lucéret eis per noctem.	39 He spread a cloud for their protection, and fire to give them light in the night.
39  Petiérunt, et venit cotúrnix: * et pane cæli saturávit eos.	40 They asked, and the quail came: and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40  Dirúpit petram et fluxérunt aquæ: * abiérunt in sicco flúmina;	41 He opened the rock, and waters flowed: rivers ran down in the dry land.
41  Quóniam memor fuit verbi sancti sui: * quod hábuit ad Abraham, púerum suum.	42 Because he remembered his holy word, which he had spoken to his servant Abraham.
42  Et edúxit pópulum suum in exsultatióne, * et eléctos suos in lætítia.	43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.
43  Et dedit illis regiónes Géntium: * et labóres populórum possedérunt:	44 And he gave them the lands of the Gentiles: and they possessed the labours of the people:
44  Ut custódiant justificatiónes ejus, * et legem ejus requírant.	45 That they might observe his justifications, and seek after his law.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT Refs	Lk 1:71-75 (8, 14); Acts 7:10 (22); Acts 7:17 (23); Acts 7:36 (26); 1 Cor 10:1 (38); Jn 6:31-34 (39)
RB cursus	Sat matins 1.5-6
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc
Roman pre 1911	Sat Matins
Ambrosian	Friday Matins wk 2
Brigittine	Friday Sext
Maurist	Monday Matins
Thesauris schemas	A:Sat Matins; B Monday Matins; C: Saturday Matins; D: Monday Matins wk 2
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Sat Matins. 1970:
Byzantine	Kathisma /stasis
Mass propers (EF)	Lent 4 Friday, IN (1, 3-4); Easter Monday, IN (1);  Easter Tuesday In (1);  Easter Saturday, In (1, 42); PP 19, GR (1); September Ember Friday, IN (1, 3-4)

Psalm 103: Overview

Psalm 103 is said at Saturday matins in the Benedictine Office, divided into two parts.

It is a poetic retelling of the days of creation, particularly appropriate for reflection on the seventh day, on which Cassiodorus said:

The Prophet, desiring to signify divine mysteries by the order of nature, first sings of the Sacraments of Christ and the Church under the type of the formation of heaven and earth: Praise the Lord, O my soul. In the second part, he enumerates the works of the Lord veiled under divers figures: O Lord, how manifold are Thy works. In the third place, he declares that in the everlasting world he will unceasingly utter the praises of the Lord, which he had made his song, even in his short life here: I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being.

St Alphonsus Liguori summarised it as follows:

According to the interpreters, this psalm presents a brilliant description of the glory of the Saviour as manifested in the works of nature. In it we find a eulogy of the wisdom and of the power that God has, shown forth in creating heaven and earth. The author of the arguments, placed at the head of the psalms in the Compilation of Venice, adds that we learn here how to see nature and the manifold variety of created things.

The text of the psalm 

Psalm 103/1

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Ipsi David.	For David himself.
1 Bénedic ánima mea, Dómino: * Dómine, Deus meus, magnificátus es veheménter.	1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, you are exceedingly great.
2  Confessiónem, et decórem induísti: * amíctus lúmine sicut vestiménto.	You have put on praise and beauty: 2 And are clothed with light as with a garment.
3  Exténdens cælum sicut pellem: * qui tegis aquis superióra ejus.	Who stretches out the heaven like a pavilion: 3 Who covers the higher rooms thereof with water.
4  Qui ponis nubem ascénsum tuum: * qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum.	Who make the clouds your chariot: who walks upon the wings of the winds.
5  Qui facis ángelos tuos, spíritus: * et minístros tuos ignem uréntem.	4 Who make your angels spirits: and your ministers a burning fire
6  Qui fundásti terram super stabilitátem suam: * non inclinábitur in sæculum sæculi.	5 Who have founded the earth upon its own bases: it shall not be moved for ever and ever.
7  Abyssus, sicut vestiméntum, amíctus ejus: * super montes stabunt aquæ.	6 The deep like a garment is its clothing: above the mountains shall the waters stand.
8  Ab increpatióne tua fúgient: * a voce tonítrui tui formidábunt.	7 At your rebuke they shall flee: at the voice of your thunder they shall fear.
9  Ascéndunt montes: et descéndunt campi * in locum, quem fundásti eis.	8 The mountains ascend, and the plains descend into the place which you have founded for them.
10  Términum posuísti, quem non transgrediéntur: * neque converténtur operíre terram.	9 You have set a bound which they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth.
11  Qui emíttis fontes in convállibus: * inter médium móntium pertransíbunt aquæ.	10 You send forth springs in the vales: between the midst of the hills the waters shall pass.
12  Potábunt omnes béstiæ agri: * exspectábunt ónagri in siti sua.	11 All the beasts of the field shall drink: the wild asses shall expect in their thirst.
13  Super ea vólucres cæli habitábunt: * de médio petrárum dabunt voces.	12 Over them the birds of the air shall dwell: from the midst of the rocks they shall give forth their voices.
14  Rigans montes de superióribus suis: * de fructu óperum tuórum satiábitur terra :	13 You water the hills from your upper rooms: the earth shall be filled with the fruit of your works:
15  Prodúcens fœnum juméntis: * et herbam servitúti hóminum :	14 Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men.
16  Ut edúcas panem de terra: * et vinum lætíficet cor hóminis :	That you may bring bread out of the earth: 15 And that wine may cheer the heart of man.
17  Ut exhílaret fáciem in óleo: * et panis cor hóminis confírmet.	That he may make the face cheerful with oil: and that bread may strengthen man's heart.
18  Saturabúntur ligna campi, et cedri Líbani, quas plantávit: * illic pásseres nidificábunt.	16 The trees of the field shall be filled, and the cedars of Libanus which he has planted: 17 There the sparrows shall make their nests.
19  Heródii domus dux est eórum: * montes excélsi cervis : petra refúgium herináciis.	The highest of them is the house of the heron.18 The high hills are a refuge for the harts, the rock for the irchins.
20  Fecit lunam in témpora: * sol cognóvit occásum suum.	19 He has made the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down.
21  Posuísti ténebras, et facta est nox: * in ipsa pertransíbunt omnes béstiæ silvæ	20 You have appointed darkness, and it is night: in it shall all the beasts of the woods go about:
22  Cátuli leónum rugiéntes, ut rápiant: * et quærant a Deo escam sibi.	21 The young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their meat from God.
23  Ortus est sol, et congregáti sunt: * et in cubílibus suis collocabúntur.	22 The sun arises, and they are gathered together: and they shall lie down in their dens.
24  Exíbit homo ad opus suum: * et ad operatiónem suam usque ad vésperum.	23 Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labour until the evening.
25  Quam magnificáta sunt ópera tua, Dómine! * ómnia in sapiéntia fecísti : impléta est terra possessióne tua.	24 How great are your works, O Lord? You have made all things in wisdom: the earth is filled with your riches.

(divisio)

Psalm 103/2

26  Hoc mare magnum, et spatiósum mánibus: * illic reptília, quorum non est númerus.	25 So is this great sea, which stretcheth wide its arms: there are creeping things without number.
27  Animália pusílla cum magnis: * illic naves pertransíbunt.	Creatures little and great: 26 There the ships shall go.
28  Draco iste, quem formásti ad illudéndum ei: * ómnia a te exspéctant ut des illis escam in témpore.	This sea dragon which you have formed to play therein. 27 All expect of you that you give them food in season.
29  Dante te illis, cólligent: * aperiénte te manum tuam, ómnia implebúntur bonitáte.	28 What you give to them they shall gather up: when you open your hand, they shall all be filled with good.
30  Averténte autem te fáciem, turbabúntur: * áuferes spíritum eórum, et defícient, et in púlverem suum reverténtur.	29 But if you turn away your face, they shall be troubled: you shall take away their breath, and they shall fail, and shall return to their dust.
31  Emíttes spíritum tuum, et creabúntur: * et renovábis fáciem terræ.	30 You shall send forth your spirit, and they shall be created: and you shall renew the face of the earth.
32  Sit glória Dómini in sæculum: * lætábitur Dóminus in opéribus suis :	31 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
33  Qui réspicit terram, et facit eam trémere: * qui tangit montes, et fúmigant.	32 He looks upon the earth, and makes it tremble: he troubles the mountains, and they smoke.
34  Cantábo Dómino in vita mea: * psallam Deo meo, quámdiu sum.	33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
35  Jucúndum sit ei elóquium meum: * ego vero delectábor in Dómino.	34 Let my speech be acceptable to him: but I will take delight in the Lord.
36  Defíciant peccatóres a terra, et iníqui ita ut non sint: * bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino.	35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and the unjust, so that they be no more: O my soul, bless the Lord

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	Heb 1:7 (5); Mt 13:31-32; Mk 4:32, Lk 13:19 (13); Acts 14:17(13-17); Mt 24:45-46 (28); Acts 2:14 (31)
RB cursus	Sat matins
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Transfiguration
Roman pre 1911	Sat matins
Ambrosian	Fri Matins wk 2
Brigittine	Friday Sext
Maurist	Monday Matins
Thesauris schemas	A: Sat matins; B: Monday Matins ; C: Wed Vespers; D: Tuesday V wk 2
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Sat Sext . 1970:
Byzantine	Kathisma 14/stasis 2
Mass propers (EF)	Pentecost, AL (31) PP 12, CO (14-17) Pentecost, AL (31)