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.

Tenebrae/30 - Psalm 15

Church of St Apollonia, c1447

Today's psalm moves us along in the narration to the harrowing of hell, for its key verse is: "Because you will not leave my soul in hell; nor will you give your holy one to see corruption."

Indeed, both SS Peter and Paul cite this psalm in sermons reported in Acts (Chapter 2&13), in preaching about Christ’s crucifixion, descent into hell, and resurrection:

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know -- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope.  For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.  Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,  he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Acts 2:22-32

This psalm is one of several Scriptural references for the statement we regularly affirm in the Apostle’s Creed, that Christ descended into hell.  It is worth teasing out briefly what it actually means, not least because it has been the subject of considerable theological debate in recent years.

It is important to understand what is meant by the term hell in this context.  Before the resurrection, due to Original Sin, no one could enter heaven: so Sheol or Hades included dimensions for both the condemned and the just.  The Old Testament saints, in other words, had to wait in a kind of limbo, often called the limbo of the Fathers.

The harrowing of hell, in essence, refers to the descent of Our Lord’s human soul (unified to his divine person) into this limbo.

You can find more on this psalm here.

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 you can find the next part of this series here.

Psalm 15

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Tituli inscriptio, ipsi David.	The inscription of a title to David himself

Consérva me, Dómine, quóniam sperávi in te. † Dixi Dómino: Deus meus es tu, * quóniam bonórum meórum non eges.	Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in you. I have said to the Lord, you are my God, for you have no need of my goods.
Sanctis, qui sunt in terra eius, * mirificávit omnes voluntátes meas in eis.	To the saints, who are in his land, he has made wonderful all my desires in them.
Multiplicátæ sunt infirmitátes eórum: * póstea acceleravérunt.	Their infirmities were multiplied: afterwards they made haste.
Non congregábo conventícula eórum de sanguínibus, * nec memor ero nóminum eórum per lábia mea.	I will not gather together their meetings for blood offerings: nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips.
Dóminus pars hereditátis meæ, et cálicis mei: * tu es, qui restítues hereditátem meam mihi.	The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: it is you that will restore my inheritance to me.
Funes cecidérunt mihi in præcláris: * étenim heréditas mea præclára est mihi.	The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places: for my inheritance is goodly to me.
Benedícam Dóminum, qui tríbuit mihi intelléctum: * ínsuper et usque ad noctem increpuérunt me renes mei.	I will bless the Lord, who has given me understanding: moreover, my reins also have corrected me even till night.
Providébam Dóminum in conspéctu meo semper: * quóniam a dextris est mihi, ne commóvear.	I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.
Propter hoc lætátum est cor meum, et exsultávit lingua mea : * ínsuper et caro mea requiéscet in spe.	Therefore my heart has been glad, and my tongue has rejoiced: moreover, my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Quóniam non derelínques ánimam meam in inférno: * nec dabis sanctum tuum vidére corruptiónem.	Because you will not leave my soul in hell; nor will you give your holy one to see corruption.
Notas mihi fecísti vias vitæ, † adimplébis me lætítia cum vultu tuo: * delectatiónes in déxtera tua usque in finem.	You have made known to me the ways of life, you shall fill me with joy with your countenance: at your right hand are delights even to the end.

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.

Other Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	Acts 2:25-28 (v8ff), Mk 1:24; Acts 2:31, 13:35 (v10), Mt 7:14 (v11)
RB cursus	Friday Prime;
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Pre-1911 Roman:. MM: Holy Saturday Tenebrae I, 3, Easter, Corpus Christi, Common of several martyrs;
Roman pre 1911	Sunday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Tuesday Compline . 1970:
Mass propers (EF)	Lent 2, Monday OF (7-8),  Lent 3 Wed CO (11), PP 5, OF (7-8); Other: vs 5 used for first tonsure ceremony.

Tenebrae Psalms/29 - Psalm 14

This psalm opens with two questions: Lord, who shall dwell in your tabernacle? Or who shall rest in your holy hill?

The antiphon set for Holy Saturday provides us with the answer: Christ will dwell in the tabernacle, and will rest on the holy hill.

The Fathers interpret the tabernacle here as referring to God’s presence dwelling amongst the Israelites during their forty years in the desert and in the Temple; but also to the new tabernacle of the Eucharist instituted on Maundy Thursday for us as a source of grace.

The Church as the Tabernacle

St Augustine suggests that the psalm alludes to the refreshment offered in the midst of our battle against the devil, and St Thomas Aquinas built on this idea by suggesting that the tabernacle also represents the Church as it struggles on this earth.  The holy hill, or temple mount, St Thomas suggests, refers to the Church Triumphant in heaven.

The psalm points to Our Lord’s action as high priest, making it possible for us to follow him into heaven despite our sinful natures.  It is a salutary reminder that it is not enough to have faith, or pray: we must also render justice to others.  Yet the psalm also reminds us that our ability to act justly depends entirely on the work of God’s grace in us, not our own efforts.

Psalm 14

Psalm 14 (15): Domine quis habitabit 

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Psalmus David.	A psalm for David
Dómine, quis habitábit in tabernáculo tuo? * aut quis requiéscet in monte sancto tuo?	Lord, who shall dwell in your tabernacle? Or who shall rest in your holy hill?
2  Qui ingréditur sine mácula, * et operátur justítiam	He that walks without blemish, and works justice
3  Qui lóquitur veritátem in corde suo, * qui non egit dolum in lingua sua :	He that speaks truth in his heart, who has not used deceit in his tongue
4  Nec fecit próximo suo malum, * et oppróbrium non accépit advérsus próximos suos.	Nor has done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.
5  Ad níhilum dedúctus est in conspéctu ejus malígnus: * timéntes autem Dóminum gloríficat	In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifies them that fear the Lord.
6  Qui jurat próximo suo, et non décipit, + qui pecúniam suam non dedit ad usúram, *et múnera super innocéntem non accépit.	He that swears to his neighbour, and deceives not; he that has not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent:
7  Qui facit hæc: * non movébitur in ætérnum.	He that does these things, shall not be moved for ever

NT Scripture refs: Acts 10:34-5 (vs2), 1 Jn 2:10 (vs 7)

RB cursus	Thursday Prime
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Holy Saturday Tenebrae, I, 2; Common of several martyrs; All Souls
Roman pre 1911	Sunday Matins
Ambrosian
Brigittine	Sunday Office of the Holy Spirit
Maurist	Tuesday Prime
Thesauris schemas	A: ; B: Sat Compline; C: ; D:
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Monday Matins . 1970: Monday Vespers wk1
Mass propers (EF)	Lent 3, Tues CO (1-2)\

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

You can find some short summaries of this psalm by following this link.

And for the next part in this series go here.

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)