Tenebrae/36 - Psalm 150

And to bring this series on the psalms of  Holy Week Tenebrae to a close, the last psalm of Tenebrae strikes an almost joyful note, for we wait now for the Easter Vigil to begin, with the last psalm of the psalter, Psalm 150.

Awaiting the Resurrection

Psalm 150 is sung daily in the Benedictine Office, as one of the concluding set of 'Laudate psalms' of Lauds, and in the pre-1911 version of Tenebrae, all three of the Laudate psalms were sung each night.  In the update version of the Tenebrae of Holy Saturday, it fulfills a similar function, for Christ has preached salvation to those in hell, who surely praised him; for those in  Hades the trumpet has indeed sounded, and they await their entry to heaven.

Yet this rejoicing is kept in perspective by the antiphon that goes with it: O all you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow (O vos omnes).  It is a reminder that suffering must come first.

And with this short psalm, I'll end up this series, hopefully just in time for you to either attend Tenebrae for Maundy Thursday, or perhaps sing or say it by yourself if that is impossible.  You can find the full text of Tenebrae in English and Latin here.  You can find the chant for it in the Liber Usualis.

May you have a happy and holy Triduum and Easter.

Psalm 150: Laudate Dominum

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Alleluja.	Alleluia
Laudáte Dóminum in sanctis ejus: * laudáte eum in firmaménto virtútis ejus.	Praise the Lord in his holy places: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2  Laudáte eum in virtútibus ejus: * laudáte eum secúndum multitúdinem magnitúdinis ejus.	2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to the multitude of his greatness.
3  Laudáte eum in sono tubæ: * laudáte eum in psaltério, et cíthara.	3 Praise him with the sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp.
4  Laudáte eum in tympano, et choro: * laudáte eum in chordis, et órgano	4 Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs.
5  Laudáte eum in cymbalis benesonántibus: laudáte eum in cymbalis jubilatiónis: * omnis spíritus laudet Dóminum.	5 Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy: 6 Let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia

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 [pre-1911: 50, 42, Is 38, 148-150]

Here is a Victoria setting of the responsory using the same text as the antiphon.

Tenebrae psalms/35 - Canticle of Hezekiah

The canticle for Tenebrae of Holy Saturday (also used at Lauds on Tuesday in the Benedictine Office as well as the Office of the Dead) is the Song of King Hezekiah, who was told by the prophet Isaiah that he was about to die.

Scriptural context

At first he resisted the message out of pride (2 Chron 32: 24).  But then he repented, and prayed desperately to God for more time.  His prayer was granted, a miracle confirmed by the sign of the sundial winding backwards (Is 38:7-8; 2 Kings 20).  The story of Hezekiah’s miraculous restoration to health appears three times in the Old Testament, signaling its importance: as well as Isaiah 38, the story appears in 2 Kings 20 and 2 Chron 32.

In the context of the Office of Holy Saturday, Hezekiah's story functions as typology: for Christ did indeed go down to the gates of hell; yet his death is but temporary, until he rises again in glory.

Canticle of Hezekiah

Is. 38:10-20

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Ego dixi: in dimídio diérum meórum * vadam ad portas ínferi.	10 I said: In the midst of my days I shall go to the gates of hell:
2  Quæsívi resíduum annórum meórum. * Dixi : Non vidébo Dóminum Deum in terra vivéntium.	I sought for the residue of my years. 11 I said: I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living.
3  Non aspíciam hóminem ultra, * et habitatórem quiétis.	I shall behold man no more, nor the inhabitant of rest.
4  Generátio mea abláta est, et convolúta est a me, * quasi tabernáculum pastórum.	12 My generation is at an end, and it is rolled away from me, as a shepherd's tent.
5  Præcísa est velut a texénte, vita mea: dum adhuc ordírer, succídit me: * de mane usque ad vésperam fínies me.	My life is cut off, as by a weaver: whilst I was yet but beginning, he cut me off: from morning even to night you will make an end of me.
6  Sperábam usque ad mane, * quasi leo sic contrívit ómnia ossa mea:	13 I hoped till morning, as a lion so has he broken all my bones:
7  De mane usque ad vésperam fínies me: * sicut pullus hirúndinis sic clamábo, meditábor ut colúmba:	from morning even to night you will make an end of me. 14 I will cry like a young swallow, I will meditate like a dove:
8  Attenuáti sunt óculi mei, * suspiciéntes in excélsum:	my eyes are weakened looking upward
9  Dómine, vim pátior, respónde pro me. * Quid dicam, aut quid respondébit mihi, cum ipse fécerit?	Lord, I suffer violence; answer for me. 15 What shall I say, or what shall he answer for me, whereas he himself has done it?
10  Recogitábo tibi omnes annos meos * in amaritúdine ánimæ meæ.:	I will recount to you all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
11  Dómine, si sic vivítur, et in tálibus vita spíritus mei, corrípies me et vivificábis me. * Ecce in pace amaritúdo mea amaríssima	16 O Lord, if man's life be such, and the life of my spirit be in such things as these, you shall correct me, and make me to live. 17 Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter:
12  Tu autem eruísti ánimam meam ut non períret: * projecísti post tergum tuum ómnia peccáta mea.	but you have delivered my soul that it should not perish, you have cast all my sins behind your back.
13  Quia non inférnus confitébitur tibi, neque mors laudábit te: * non exspectábunt qui descéndunt in lacum, veritátem tuam.	18 For hell shall not confess to you, neither shall death praise you: nor shall they that go down into the pit, look for your truth.
14  Vivens vivens ipse confitébitur tibi, sicut et ego hódie: * pater fíliis notam fáciet veritátem tuam.	19 The living, the living, he shall give praise to you, as I do this day: the father shall make the truth known to the children.
15  Dómine, salvum me fac, * et psalmos nostros cantábimus cunctis diébus vitæ nostræ in domo Dómini.	20 O Lord, save me, and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.

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 final part in this series, go here.

Tenebrae psalms/34 - Psalm 63

The original historical context for Psalm 63 is not clear: the title claims Davidic authorship, and the style and language seems to support this, so some modern commentators have suggested that it may refer to David’s early days at Saul’s court, when enemies plotted to bring about his downfall.

The Fathers, however, gave it an entirely Christological interpretation, as Cassiodorus explains:

“The words of this heading, as has often been remarked, are wholly related to the Lord Christ, who is to speak through the entire psalm. These words are written without historical narration; the clarity of the heading seems to waft the light of the coming psalm over us. The Lord will speak of His passion, which has afforded life to the world and has poured on us the light of belief…initially prays that He be freed from fear of the Jewish people, as He relates their deceits and impious deeds as if they have already been performed. He teaches that they have failed in their acts of persecution, whereas He has attained the glory of resurrection.”

When it is said on Wednesday in the Benedictine Office, the focus is on those plotting to betray Jesus in the assembly of the malignant (verse 2), and those resolute in wickedness (verse 6).  In the context of the great works done on Holy Saturday night, its inclusion in the post-1911 version of the hour is perhaps meant to remind us that we must actively choose to join the just, the upright of heart.  The Apostles preached the works of the Lord (v10) to those who had crucified Jesus, offering them the chance of redemption.  And many of those same persecutors were indeed converted, as the life of St Paul attests.

Psalm 63

Psalm 63: Exaudi Deus

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
In finem. Psalmus David.	Unto the end, a psalm for David.
1 Exáudi, Deus, oratiónem meam cum déprecor: * a timóre inimíci éripe ánimam meam.	Hear O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to you: deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.
2 Protexísti me a convéntu malignántium: * a multitúdine operántium iniquitátem.	You have protected me from the assembly of the malignant; from the multitude of the workers of iniquity.
3  Quia exacuérunt ut gládium linguas suas: * intendérunt arcum rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.	For they have whetted their tongues like a sword; they have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot in secret the undefiled.
4  Súbito sagittábunt eum, et non timébunt: * firmavérunt sibi sermónem nequam.	They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: they are resolute in wickedness.
5 Narravérunt ut abscónderent láqueos: * dixérunt: Quis vidébit eos?	They have talked of hiding snares; they have said: Who shall see them?
6  Scrutáti sunt iniquitátes: * defecérunt scrutántes scrutínio.	They have searched after iniquities: they have failed in their search.
7  Accédet homo ad cor altum: * et exaltábitur Deus.	Man shall come to a deep heart: And God shall be exalted.
8  Sagíttæ parvulórum factæ sunt plagæ eórum: * et infirmátæ sunt contra eos linguæ eórum.	The arrows of children are their wounds: And their tongues against them are made weak
9  Conturbáti sunt omnes qui vidébant eos: * et tímuit omnis homo.	All that saw them were troubled; and every man was afraid.
10  Et annuntiavérunt ópera Dei, * et facta ejus intellexérunt.	And they declared the works of God, and understood his doings.
11  Lætábitur justus in Dómino, et sperábit in eo: * et laudabúntur omnes recti corde.	The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in him: and all the upright in heart shall be praised.

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.

Tenebrae/33 - Psalm 91

The Third Nocturn of Tenebrae for Holy Saturday is entirely composed of psalms we have already looked at earlier in this series (viz Psalms 53, 75 and 87), so today we move onto the Lauds section of Tenebrae for Holy Saturday.

In the pre-1911 version of Tenebrae, the variable psalm for the hour was Psalm 42, arguably far more apt for Holy Saturday.  But Psalm 91 probably seemed an obvious pick for Holy Saturday since its title suggests that in the Jewish tradition it was said on the Sabbath (ie Saturday), and it is believed that it was said while the Sabbath sacrifice of the lamb took place.  The Old Roman Office (ie pre-1911) retained that position for it in the ferial psalter; interestingly though, St Benedict actually places it at Lauds on Friday instead, as a symbol  that it is on Fridays that the saving sacrifice of Christ occurs.

It is, though, one of those psalms that encompasses several different messages, and is, on the whole, a rather upbeat hymn that points to the coming Resurrection.

In this psalm, I think we are called on to contemplate the deep mystery of God’s plan (vs 5). The fool, the psalmist states in verse 6, fails to understand: to him, St Paul points out, the Cross is a scandal.

Yet the Cross enables all of us to be reconciled to God through Christ. Indeed, the Fathers interpreted verse 10, talking about the exaltation of the horn of the unicorn, as a direct reference to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Horned animals were sacrificed to God, as Our Lord became the Lamb of God on the Cross.

Psalm 91

Psalm 91 (92): Bonum est confiteri Dominum

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Psalmus cantici, in die sabbati.	A psalm of a canticle on the sabbath day.
1 Bonum est confitéri dómino: * et psállere nómini tuo, altíssime.	It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to your name, O most High.
2  Ad annuntiándum mane misericórdiam tuam: * et veritátem tuam per noctem	3 To show forth your mercy in the morning, and your truth in the night:
3  In decachórdo, psaltério: * cum cántico, in cíthara.	4 Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the psaltery: with a canticle upon the harp.
4. Quia delectásti me, Dómine, in factúra tua: * et in opéribus mánuum tuárum exsultábo.	5 For you have given me, O Lord, a delight in your doings: and in the works of your hands I shall rejoice.
5  Quam magnificáta sunt ópera tua, Dómine! * nimis profúndæ factæ sunt cogitatiónes tuæ	6 O Lord, how great are your works! your thoughts are exceeding deep.
6  Vir insípiens non cognóscet: * et stultus non intélliget hæc.	7 The senseless man shall not know: nor will the fool understand these things.
7  Cum exórti fúerint peccatóres sicut fœnum: * et apparúerint omnes, qui operántur iniquitátem.	8 When the wicked shall spring up as grass: and all the workers of iniquity shall appear:
8  Ut intéreant in sæculum sæculi: * tu autem Altíssimus in ætérnum, Dómine.	That they may perish for ever and ever: 9 But you, O Lord, are most high for evermore.
9  Quóniam ecce inimíci tui, Dómine, quóniam ecce inimíci tui períbunt: * et dispergéntur omnes, qui operántur iniquitátem.	10 For behold your enemies, O lord, for behold your enemies shall perish: and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10. Et exaltábitur sicut unicórnis cornu meum: * et senéctus mea in misericórdia úberi.	11 But my horn shall be exalted like that of the unicorn: and my old age in plentiful mercy.
11  Et despéxit óculus meus inimícos meos: * et in insurgéntibus in me malignántibus áudiet auris mea.	12 My eye also has looked down upon my enemies: and my ear shall hear of the downfall of the malignant that rise up against me.
12  Justus, ut palma florébit: * sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábitur.	13 The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
13  Plantáti in domo Dómini, *  in átriis domus Dei nostri florébunt.	14 They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
14  Adhuc multiplicabúntur in senécta úberi: * et bene patiéntes erunt,  ut annúntient:	15 They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated, 16 that they may show,
15  Quóniam rectus Dóminus, Deus noster: * et non est iníquitas in eo.	That the Lord our God is righteous, and there is no iniquity in him.

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.

Tenebrae/32 - Psalm 29

The title of Psalm 29 alludes to the dedication of David's house, but as Pope John Paul II pointed out in his General Audience given on it, it has always been interpreted, in the Christian tradition, as a paschal hymn.

The psalm opens with Christ thanking his Father for his deliverance, and looks forward to the Resurrection, as the sixth century commentator Cassiodorus nicely sums up:

"In the first section the Lord Christ our King gives thanks to the Father after His glorious resurrection, because the Father freed Him from the hostility of this world. He orders the saints to announce praise of the Lord, since all things lie in His power. In the second section He says that He is not to be shifted from His steadfast pur­pose, and further adds that praise of the Deity is to be discharged by the living and not by the dead. In the third section He joyfully and delightedly returns to His resurrection, for having laid aside the frailty of the flesh He continues in the undying glory of His majesty. In his usual fashion He describes as past what He knew would come."

St Alphonsus Liguori draws out the lesson from it for us:

"This psalm is very suitable to every Christian who, having been assailed by his passions, is in danger of falling into temptations."

It teaches, Pope John Paul II, suggests that

"...we must never let ourselves be ensnared by the dark confusion of despair, when it seems that everything is already lost. Nor, of course, is there any need to fall into the illusion that we can save ourselves with our own resources." 

Rather, we must cry out to God for help, and then thank him when it comes.

Psalm 29 Exaltabo te Domine

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Psalmus cantici, in dedicatione domus David.	A psalm of a canticle, at the dedication of David's house.
1 Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: * nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.	I will extol you, O Lord, for you have upheld me: and have not made my enemies to rejoice over me.
2  Dómine, Deus meus, clamávi ad te, * et sanásti me.	3 O Lord my God, I have cried to you, and you have healed me.
3  Dómine, eduxísti ab inférno ánimam meam: * salvásti me a descendéntibus in lacum.	4 You have brought forth, O Lord, my soul from hell: you have saved me from them that go down into the pit.
4  Psállite Dómino, sancti ejus: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctitátis ejus.	5 Sing to the Lord, O you his saints: and give praise to the memory of his holiness.
5  Quóniam ira in indignatióne ejus: * et vita in voluntáte ejus.	6 For wrath is in his indignation; and life in his good will.
6  Ad vésperum demorábitur fletus: * et ad matutínum lætítia.	In the evening weeping shall have place, and in the morning gladness.
7 Ego autem dixi in abundántia mea: * Non movébor in ætérnum.	7 And in my abundance I said: I shall never be moved.
8  Dómine, in voluntáte tua, * præstitísti decóri meo virtútem.	8 O Lord, in your favour, you gave strength to my beauty.
9 Avertísti fáciem tuam a me, * et factus sum conturbátus.	You turned away your face from me, and I became troubled.
10  Ad te, Dómine, clamábo: * et ad Deum meum deprecábor.	9 To you, O Lord, will I cry: and I will make supplication to my God.
11  Quæ utílitas in sánguine meo, * dum descéndo in corruptiónem?	10 What profit is there in my blood, whilst I go down to corruption?
12  Numquid confitébitur tibi pulvis, * aut annuntiábit veritátem tuam?	Shall dust confess to you, or declare your truth?
13  Audívit Dóminus, et misértus est mei: * Dóminus factus est adjútor meus.	11 The Lord has heard, and has had mercy on me: the Lord became my helper.
14  Convertísti planctum meum in gáudium mihi: * conscidísti saccum meum, et circumdedísti me lætítia:	12 You have turned for me my mourning into joy: you have cut my sackcloth, and have compassed me with gladness:
15  Ut cantet tibi glória mea, et non compúngar: * Dómine, Deus meus, in ætérnum confitébor tibi.	13 To the end that my glory may sing to you, and I may not regret: O Lord my God, I will give praise to you for ever.

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 

Other liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	-
RB cursus	Sunday Matins II, 4
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Holy Sat Tenebrae, II, 3; Easter, Ascension
Roman pre 1911	Monday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Monday Matins . 1970:
Mass propers (EF)	Ash Wednesday OF (1-2); Friday after Ash Wednesday, IN (1, 13); Saturday after Ash Wednesday IN (2, 13); Passion Wednesday, GR (1-3); PP 11 (1-2).

For the next part in this series, go here.  If you want to look at the notes on Psalm 53, covered earlier in this series, go here.

Tenebrae 31/ Psalm 23

The second Nocturn for Holy Saturday focuses on the announcement of the reopening of heaven to the dead in Hades, conveyed most powerfully by Handel's setting of the key verse of this psalm:

"Lift up your gates, O princes, and be lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in."

Lift up ye gates

Since Adam's sin, heaven has been closed to mankind.  Yet Christ the all-powerful now descends into hell (Hades) to preach the good news to the just dead: the way is reopened.

The original historical context for this psalm was probably the conquest of Jerusalem by King David, which allowed him to bring the Arc of the Covenant into the city in solemn procession.

Now we too are invited to join this holy procession, and move towards the gates of heaven, waiting to come in.

Yet we must first examine our conscience, the psalm informs us, for only "The guiltless in act, the pure in heart; one who never set his heart on lying tales, or swore treacherously to his neighbour' will receive the mercy and blessing of the Lord.

Psalm 23: Dómini est terra 

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Prima sabbati. Psalmus David.
Dómini est terra, et plenitúdo ejus: * orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.	The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein.
2  Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum: * et super flúmina præparávit eum.	2 For he has founded it upon the seas; and has prepared it upon the rivers.
3  Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini? * aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus?	3 Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place?
4  Innocens mánibus et mundo corde, * qui non accépit in vano ánimam suam, nec jurávit in dolo próximo suo.	4 The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who has not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
5  Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino: * et misericórdiam a Deo, salutári suo.	5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.
6  Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum, * quæréntium fáciem Dei Jacob.	6 This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7  Attóllite portas príncipes vestras, et elevámini portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.	7 Lift up your gates, O princes, and be lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
8  Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus fortis et potens : Dóminus potens in prælio.	8 Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.
9  Attóllite portas príncipes vestras,  et elevámini portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.	9 Lift up your gates, O princes, and be lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
10  Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus virtútum ipse est Rex glóriæ.	10 Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

NT Refs: 1 Cor 10:26 (1); Mt 5:8 (4); 1 Cor 2:8

RB cursus	:  Sunday Matins I, 4
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Nativity; Holy Sat Tenebrae, II, 2;Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity, All Saints, Christ the King, Assumption, Common of BVM, Common of Virgins, Common of Several Martyrs,
Roman pre 1911	Sunday matins; Post trent, Monday Prime
Ambrosian
Brigittine	Sat matins
Maurist
Thesauris schemas	A: ; B: ; C: ; D:
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Monday Prime . 1970: Invitatory (opt); Sunday matins wk 4; Tuesday Lauds wk 1
Mass propers (EF)	Palm Sunday Procession/blessing; Passion Monday CO (10)

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

For the next part in this series, on Psalm 29, go here.  Alternatively, if you want to take a look at Psalm 26 (covered earlier in the series) go here.