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)

Psalm 38: Overview

Psalm 38 is said at Matins on Monday in the Benedictine office.

St Augustine provided an extended discussion of the title of Psalm 38, which links it to the psalms of ascent (Gradual):

The title of this Psalm, which we have just chanted and proposed to discuss, is, On the end, for Idithun, a Psalm for David himself. Here then we must look for, and must attend to, the words of a certain person who is called Idithun; and if each one of ourselves may be Idithun, in that which he sings he recognises himself, and hears himself speak. For you may see who was called Idithun, according to the ancient descent of man; let us, however, understand what this name is translated, and seek to comprehend the Truth in the translation of the word. According therefore to what we have been able to discover by enquiry in those names which have been translated from the Hebrew tongue into the Latin, by those who study the sacred writings, Idithun being translated is over-leaping them. Who then is this person over-leaping them? Or who those whom he has over-leaped?...For there are some persons, yet clinging to the earth, yet bowed down to the ground, yet setting their hearts on what is below, yet placing their hopes in things that pass away, whom he who is called over-leaping them has over-leaped.

You know that some of the Psalms are entitled, Songs of Degrees; and in the Greek it is obvious enough what the word ‡ ναβαθμῶν means. For ‡ ναβαθμοὶ are degrees (or steps) of them that ascend, not of them that descend. The Latin, not being able to express it strictly, expresses it by the general term; and in that it called them steps, left it undetermined, whether they were steps of persons ascending or descending. But because there is no speech or language where their voices are not heard among them, the earlier language explains the one which comes after it: and what was ambiguous in one is made certain in another. Just then as there the singer is some one who is ascending, so here is it some one who is over-leaping....Let this Idithun come still to us, let him over-leap those whose delight is in things below, and take delight in these things, and let him rejoice in the Word of the Lord; in the delight of the law of the Most High....

St Alphonsus Liguori's summary of the psalm makes the link to the pilgrimage psalms more succinctly:

David speaks here of the pain that he felt and of the silence that he kept when Semei annoyed him with insults. The royal prophet at the same time exposes the reflections that his sins and the vain cares of men suggested to him. Finally, he represents himself as a pilgrim here on earth, and points out to sinners with what sentiments they should be animated in order to do penance.

The text of the psalm

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
In finem, ipsi Idithun. Canticum David.	Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David.
1 Dixi: Custódiam vias meas: * ut non delínquam in lingua mea.	I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue.
2  Pósui ori meo custódiam, * cum consísteret peccátor advérsum me.	I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.
3  Obmútui, et humiliátus sum, et sílui a bonis: * et dolor meus renovátus est.	3 I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.
4  Concáluit cor meum intra me: * et in meditatióne mea exardéscet ignis.	4 My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
5  Locútus sum in lingua mea: * Notum fac mihi, Dómine, finem meum.	5 I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end.
6  Et númerum diérum meórum quis est: * ut sciam quid desit mihi.	And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.
7  Ecce mensurábiles posuísti dies meos: * et substántia mea tamquam níhilum ante te.	6 Behold you have made my days measurable and my substance is as nothing before you.
8  Verúmtamen univérsa vánitas, * omnis homo vivens.	And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.
9  Verúmtamen in imágine pertránsit homo: * sed et frustra conturbátur.	7 Surely man passes as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain.
10  Thesaurízat: * et ignórat cui congregábit ea.	He stores up: and he knows not for whom he shall gather these things.
11  Et nunc quæ est exspectátio mea? Nonne Dóminus? * Et substántia mea apud te est.	8 And now what is my hope? Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with you.
12  Ab ómnibus iniquitátibus meis érue me: * oppróbrium insipiénti dedísti me.	9 Deliver me from all my iniquities: you have made me a reproach to the fool.
13  Obmútui, et non apérui os meum, quóniam tu fecísti: * ámove a me plagas tuas.	10 I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because you have done it. 11 Remove your scourges from me.
14  A fortitúdine manus tuæ ego deféci in increpatiónibus: * propter iniquitátem corripuísti hóminem.	The strength of your hand has made me faint in rebukes: 12 You have corrected man for iniquity.
15  Et tabéscere fecísti sicut aráneam ánimam ejus: * verúmtamen vane conturbátur omnis homo.	And you have made his soul to waste away like a spider: surely in vain is any man disquieted.
16  Exáudi oratiónem meam, Dómine, et deprecatiónem meam: * áuribus pércipe lácrimas meas.	13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears.
17  Ne síleas: quóniam ádvena ego sum apud te, et peregrínus, * sicut omnes patres mei.	Be no silent: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.
18  Remítte mihi, ut refrígerer priúsquam ábeam, * et ámplius non ero.	14 O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

 

NT references	Lk 24:32 (4); Lk 12:21 (10); Jas 4:13-15 (9, 15); Heb 11: 13-16; 1 Peter 2: 11-12 (17)
RB cursus	Monday Matins II, 1+5294 (Septua/Lent)
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	-
Responsories	Epiphanytide Tues no 1 - 6154
Roman pre 1911	Tuesday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Tuesday Matins  . 1970:
Mass propers (EF)	-