Psalm 105: Overview

 Psalm 105, which opens the second Nocturn of Saturday Matins in the Benedictine Office is a long psalms chronicling salvation history.  Divided into two parts, it focuses on the sins of the Israelites under Moses, and associates the reader with them, but ends with their repentance and a plea for God to save his people:

45  Salvos nos fac, Dómine, Deus noster: * et cóngrega nos de natiónibus:	47 Save us, O Lord, our God: and gather us from among the nations:
46  Ut confiteámur nómini sancto tuo: * et gloriémur in laude tua.	That we may give thanks to your holy name, and may glory in your praise.

St Alphonsus Liguori says on it:

The psalmist exhorts the Israelites to thank the Lord for all the wonders wrought in their behalf from the time that they left Egypt till the time of the Judges, and reproaches them for their ingratitude to the Lord. A matter of confusion for us Christians, who have received from God far greater benefits.

The text of the psalm

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Alleluja.
1 Confitémini Dómino, quóniam bonus: * quóniam in sæculum misericórdia ejus.	Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
2  Quis loquétur poténtias Dómini, * audítas fáciet omnes laudes ejus?	2 Who shall declare the powers of the Lord? Who shall set forth all his praises?
3  Beáti, qui custódiunt judícium, * et fáciunt justítiam in omni témpore.	3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and do justice at all times.
4  Meménto nostri, Dómine, in beneplácito pópuli tui: * vísita nos in salutári tuo:	4 Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of your people: visit us with your salvation.
5  Ad vidéndum in bonitáte electórum tuórum, ad lætándum in lætítia gentis tuæ: * ut laudéris cum hereditáte tua.	5 That we may see the good of your chosen, that we may rejoice in the joy of your nation: that you may be praised with your inheritance.
6  Peccávimus cum pátribus nostris: * injúste égimus, iniquitátem fécimus.	6 We have sinned with our fathers: we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.
7  Patres nostri in Ægypto non intellexérunt mirabília tua: * non fuérunt mémores multitúdinis misericórdiæ tuæ.	7 Our fathers understood not your wonders in Egypt: they remembered not the multitude of your mercies:
8  Et irritavérunt ascendéntes in mare, * Mare Rubrum.	And they provoked to wrath going up to the sea, even the Red Sea.
9  Et salvávit eos propter nomen suum: * ut notam fáceret poténtiam suam.	8 And he saved them for his own name's sake: that he might make his power known.
10  Et incrépuit Mare Rubrum, et exsiccátum est, * et dedúxit eos in abyssis sicut in desérto.	9 And he rebuked the Red Sea and it was dried up: and he led them through the depths, as in a wilderness.
11  Et salvávit eos de manu odiéntium: * et redémit eos de manu inimíci.	10 And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them: and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
12  Et opéruit aqua tribulántes eos: * unus ex eis non remánsit.	11 And the water covered them that afflicted them: there was not one of them left.
13  Et credidérunt verbis ejus: * et laudavérunt laudem ejus.	12 And they believed his words: and they sang his praises.
14  Cito fecérunt, oblíti sunt óperum ejus: * et non sustinuérunt consílium ejus.	13 They had quickly done, they forgot his works: and they waited not for his counsel.
15  Et concupiérunt concupiscéntiam in desérto: * et tentavérunt Deum in inaquóso.	14 And they coveted their desire in the desert: and they tempted God in the place without water.
16  Et dedit eis petitiónem ipsórum: * et misit saturitátem in ánimas eórum.	15 And he gave them their request: and sent fullness into their souls.
17  Et irritavérunt Móysen in castris: * Aaron, sanctum Dómini.	16 And they provoked Moses in the camp, Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
18  Apérta est terra, et deglutívit Dathan: * et opéruit super congregatiónem Abíron.	17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.
19  Et exársit ignis in synagóga eórum: * flamma combússit peccatóres.	17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.
20  Et fecérunt vítulum in Horeb: * et adoravérunt scúlptile.	19 They made also a calf in Horeb: and they adored the graven thing.
21  Et mutavérunt glóriam suam * in similitúdinem vítuli comedéntis fœnum.	20 And they changed their glory into the likeness of a calf that eats grass.
22  Oblíti sunt Deum, qui salvávit eos, * qui fecit magnália in Ægypto, mirabília in terra Cham: terribília in Mari Rubro.	21 They forgot God, who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, 22 wondrous works in the land of Cham: terrible things in the Red Sea.
23  Et dixit ut dispérderet eos: * si non Móyses, eléctus ejus, stetísset in confractióne in conspéctu ejus:	23 And he said that he would destroy them: had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach:
24  Ut avérteret iram ejus ne dispérderet eos: * et pro níhilo habuérunt terram desiderábilem:	To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. 24 And they set at nought the desirable land.
25  Non credidérunt verbo ejus, et murmuravérunt in tabernáculis suis: * non exaudiérunt vocem Dómini.	They believed not his word, 25 and they murmured in their tents: they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.
26  Et elevávit manum suam super eos: * ut prostérneret eos in desérto:	26 And he lifted up his hand over them: to overthrow them in the desert;
27  Et ut dejíceret semen eórum in natiónibus: * et dispérgeret eos in regiónibus.	27 and to cast down their seed among the nations, and to scatter them in the countries.
28  Et initiáti sunt Beélphegor: * et comedérunt sacrifícia mortuórum.	28 They also were initiated to Beelphegor: and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
29  Et irritavérunt eum in adinventiónibus suis: * et multiplicáta est in eis ruína.	29 And they provoked him with their inventions: and destruction was multiplied among them.
30  Et stetit Phínees, et placávit: * et cessávit quassátio.	30 Then Phinees stood up, and pacified him: and the slaughter ceased.
31  Et reputátum est ei in justítiam: * in generatiónem et generatiónem usque in sempitérnum.	31 And it was reputed to him unto justice, to generation and generation for evermore.

(divisio)

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
32  Et irritavérunt eum ad Aquas contradictiónis: * et vexátus est Móyses propter eos: quia exacerbavérunt spíritum ejus.	32 They provoked him also at the waters of contradiction: and Moses was afflicted for their sakes: 33 Because they exasperated his spirit.
33  Et distínxit in lábiis suis: * non disperdidérunt Gentes, quas dixit Dóminus illis.	And he distinguished with his lips. 34 They did not destroy the nations of which the Lord spoke unto them.
34  Et commísti sunt inter Gentes, et didicérunt ópera eórum: et serviérunt sculptílibus eórum: * et factum est illis in scándalum.	35 And they were mingled among the heathens, and learned their works: 36 And served their idols, and it became a stumbling block to them.
35  Et immolavérunt fílios suos, * et filias suas dæmóniis.	37 And they sacrificed their sons, and their daughters to devils.
36  Et effudérunt sánguinem innocéntem: * sánguinem filiórum suórum et filiárum suárum, quas sacrificavérunt sculptílibus Chánaan.	38 And they shed innocent blood: the blood of their sons and of their daughters which they sacrificed to the idols of Chanaan.
37  Et infécta est terra in sanguínibus, et contamináta est in opéribus eórum: * et fornicáti sunt in adinventiónibus suis.	And the land was polluted with blood, 39 and was defiled with their works: and they went aside after their own inventions.
38  Et irátus est furóre Dóminus in pópulum suum: * et abominátus est hereditátem suam.	40 And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people: and he abhorred his inheritance.
39  Et trádidit eos in manus Géntium: * et domináti sunt eórum qui odérunt eos.	41 And he delivered them into the hands of the nations: and they that hated them had dominion over them.
40  Et tribulavérunt eos inimíci eórum, et humiliáti sunt sub mánibus eórum: * sæpe liberávit eos.	42 And their enemies afflicted them: and they were humbled under their hands: 43 Many times did he deliver them.
41  Ipsi autem exacerbavérunt eum in consílio suo: * et humiliáti sunt in iniquitátibus suis.	But they provoked him with their counsel: and they were brought low by their iniquities.
42  Et vidit, cum tribularéntur: * et audívit oratiónem eórum.	44 And he saw when they were in tribulation: and he heard their prayer.
43  Et memor fuit testaménti sui: * et pœnítuit eum secúndum multitúdinem misericórdiæ suæ.	45 And he was mindful of his covenant: and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
44  Et dedit eos in misericórdias * in conspéctu ómnium qui céperant eos.	46 And he gave them unto mercies, in the sight of all those that had made them captives.
45  Salvos nos fac, Dómine, Deus noster: * et cóngrega nos de natiónibus:	47 Save us, O Lord, our God: and gather us from among the nations:
46  Ut confiteámur nómini sancto tuo: * et gloriémur in laude tua.	That we may give thanks to your holy name, and may glory in your praise.
47  Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, a sæculo et usque in sæculum: * et dicet omnis pópulus: Fiat, fiat.	48 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say: So be it, so be it.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

 

NT references	Mk 4: 35-41; Lk 1:71 (7-9); Rev 16:12 (10); 1 Cor 10:1-6 (14); Rom 1:23 (19)
RB cursus	Saturday Matins NII
Monastic feasts etc	I Vespers of Advent 2 Mag ant (4-5), 5321 AN 5471 (4)
Responsories	7565 (47)
Roman pre 1911	Saturday matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Saturday matins  1970: Advent, Christmas, Lent and Eastertide only
Mass propers (EF)	Easter Vigil, AL (1), also PS 117, 106 Greater and Lesser litanies AL (1), also PS 117, 106 Lent 2 – TR (1-4) [IN Advent, Triplex 29, v 1-5]

 

Psalm 82: Overview

Psalm 82 is said at Thursday matins in the Benedictine Office; in the modern Liturgy of the hours it is omitted altogether because of its imprecatory character.

St Alphonsus Liguori however, urged its use at times of persecution:

We have in this psalm the prayer that the Jewish people addressed to God, asking him for help against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and other Gentiles, who threatened to ruin the Temple and the holy city. This psalm may be used to pray to the intention of the Church whenever she suffers any special persecution.

The text of the psalm

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Canticum Psalmi Asaph.	A canticle of a psalm for Asaph.
1 Deus, quis símilis erit tibi? * Ne táceas, neque compescáris, Deus.	O God who shall be like to you? Hold not your peace, neither be still, O God.
2  Quóniam ecce inimíci tui sonuérunt: * et qui odérunt te extulérunt caput.	3 For lo, your enemies have made a noise: and they that hate you have lifted up the head.
3  Super pópulum tuum malignavérunt consílium: * et cogitavérunt advérsus sanctos tuos.	4 They have taken a malicious counsel against your people, and have consulted against your saints.
4  Dixérunt:  Veníte, et disperdámus eos de gente: * et non memorétur nomen Israël ultra.	5 They have said: Come and let us destroy them, so that they be not a nation: and let the name of Israel be remembered no more
5  Quóniam cogitavérunt unanímiter: * simul advérsum te testaméntum disposuérunt, tabernácula Idumæórum et Ismahelítæ:	6 For they have contrived with one consent: they have made a covenant together against you, 7 the tabernacle of the Edomites, and the Ishmahelites:
6  Moab, et Agaréni, Gebal, et Ammon, et Amalec: * alienígenæ cum habitántibus Tyrum	Moab, and the Agarens, 8 Gebal, and Ammon and Amalec: the Philistines, with the inhabitants of Tyre.
7  Etenim Assur venit cum illis: * facti sunt in adjutórium fíliis Lot.	9 Yea, and the Assyrian also is joined with them: they have come to the aid of the sons of Lot.
8  Fac illis sicut Mádian, et Sísaræ: * sicut Jabin in torrénte Cisson.	10 Do to them as you did to Madian and to Sisara: as to Jabin at the brook of Cisson.
9  Disperiérunt in Endor: * facti sunt ut stercus terræ.	11 Who perished at Endor: and became as dung for the earth.
10  Pone príncipes eórum sicut Oreb, et Zeb, * et Zébee, et Sálmana:	12 Make their princes like Oreb, and Zeb, and Zebee, and Salmana.
11  Omnes príncipes eórum: * qui dixérunt : Hereditáte possideámus Sanctuárium Dei.	All their princes, 13 who have said: Let us possess the sanctuary of God for an inheritance.
12 Deus meus, pone illos ut rotam: * et sicut stípulam ante fáciem venti.	14 O my God, make them like a wheel; and as stubble before the wind.
13  Sicut ignis, qui combúrit silvam: * et sicut flamma combúrens montes:	15 As fire which burns the wood: and as a flame burning mountains:
14  Ita persequéris illos in tempestáte tua: * et in ira tua turbábis eos.	16 So shall you pursue them with your tempest: and shall trouble them in your wrath.
15 Imple fácies eórum ignomínia: * et quærent nomen tuum, Dómine.	17 Fill their faces with shame; and they shall seek your name, O Lord.
16  Erubéscant, et conturbéntur in sæculum sæculi: * et confundántur, et péreant.	18 Let them be ashamed and troubled for ever and ever: and let them be confounded and perish.
17  Et cognóscant quia nomen tibi Dóminus: * tu solus Altíssimus in omni terra.	19 And let them know that the Lord is your name: you alone are the most High over all the earth.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	Acts 4:25 (2)
RB cursus	Matins Thursday II, 4
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc
Roman pre 1911	Friday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Friday Matins  . 1970: omitted because of imprecatory character
Mass propers (EF)	-

Psalm 81: Overview

In the Benedictine Office, Psalm 81 is said at Thursday Matins.  In the Temple liturgy though it was apparently said on Tuesday:

On the third day they sang Psalm 81, 'God standeth in the congregation of the mighty,' etc., 'because on that day the earth appeared, on which are the Judge and the judged.' (Tamid, sect. vii, and Maimonides in Tamid)

St Alphonsus Liguori commented on it that:

It is God whom the prophet makes speak in this psalm; he reproaches the princes and the judges of the earth for their evil administration of justice, and places before them the moment of death, when they themselves will have to be judged. The last verse shows us Jesus Christ coming to judge all men at the end of the world.

The text of the psalm

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Psalmus Asaph.	A psalm for Asaph.
Deus stetit in synagóga deórum: * in médio autem deos dijúdicat.	God has stood in the congregation of gods: and being in the midst of them he judges gods.
2 Usquequo judicátis iniquitátem: * et fácies peccatórum súmitis?	How long will you judge unjustly: and accept the persons of the wicked?
3 Judicáte egéno, et pupíllo: * húmilem, et páuperem justificáte.	Judge for the needy and fatherless: do justice to the humble and the poor.
4 Erípite páuperem: * et egénum de manu peccatóris liberáte.	Rescue the poor; and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner
5 Nesciérunt, neque intellexérunt, in ténebris ámbulant: * movebúntur ómnia fundaménta terræ.	They have not known nor understood: they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be moved.
6 Ego dixi: Dii estis, * et fílii Excélsi omnes.	I have said: You are gods and all of you the sons of the most High.
7 Vos autem sicut hómines moriémini: * et sicut unus de princípibus cadétis.	But you like men shall die: and shall fall like one of the princes.
8 Surge, Deus, júdica terram: * quóniam tu hereditábis in ómnibus Géntibus.	Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit among all the nations.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	Jn 10:34
RB cursus	Thursday Matins II, 3
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	-
Roman pre 1911	Friday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Friday Terce .
Mass propers (EF)	-

Psalm 79: Overview

Psalm 79 opens the second nocturn of Thursday matins in the Benedictine Office.

St Alphonsus Liguori summarised it as follows:

We find in this psalm, according as we take it in the literal or the mystical sense, the prayer which the Jews who were prisoners addressed to God for their deliverance, or which the patriarchs offered up, that the Messias might put an end to the tyranny of the devil.

St Augustine focused on the mystical meaning of the psalm in explaining its title:

The song here is of the Advent of the Lord and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His vineyard. But the singer of the song is that Asaph, as far as does appear, enlightened and converted, by whose name ye know the synagogue to be signified. Lastly, the title of the Psalm is: For the end in behalf of them that shall be changed; that is, for the better. For Christ, the end of the Law, has come on purpose that He should change men for the better. And he adds, a testimony to Asaph himself. A good testimony of truth. Lastly, this testimony does confess both Christ and the vineyard; that is, Head and Body, King and people, Shepherd and flock, and the entire mystery of all Scriptures, Christ and the Church. But the title of the Psalm does conclude with, for the Assyrians. The Assyrians are interpreted, men guiding. Therefore it is no longer a generation which has not guided the heart thereof, but now a generation guiding...

The text of Psalm 79

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
In finem, pro iis qui commutabuntur. Testimonium Asaph, psalmus.	Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm.
1 Qui regis Israël, inténde: * qui dedúcis velut ovem Joseph.	Give ear, O you that rule Israel: you that lead Joseph like a sheep.
2  Qui sedes super Chérubim: * manifestáre coram Ephraim, Bénjamin, et Manásse.	You that sit upon the cherubims, shine forth 3 before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses.
3  Excita poténtiam tuam, et veni: * ut salvos fácias nos.	Stir up your might, and come to save us.
4  Deus, convérte nos: * et osténde fáciem tuam, et salvi érimus.	4 Convert us, O God: and show us your face, and we shall be saved.
5  Dómine, Deus virtútum, * quoúsque irascéris super oratiónem servi tui?	5 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your servant?
6  Cibábis nos pane lacrimárum: * et potum dabis nobis in lácrimis in mensúra?	6 How long will you feed us with the bread of tears: and give us for our drink tears in measure?
7  Posuísti nos in contradictiónem vicínis nostris: * et inimíci ostril subsannavérunt nos.	7 You have made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: and our enemies have scoffed at us.
8  Deus virtútum, convérte nos: * et osténde fáciem tuam, et salvi érimus.	8 O God of hosts, convert us: and show your face, and we shall be saved.
9  Víneam de Ægypto transtulísti: * ejecísti Gentes, et plantásti eam.	9 You have brought a vineyard out of Egypt: you have cast out the Gentiles and planted it.
10  Dux itíneris fuísti in conspéctu ejus: * plantásti radíces ejus, et implévit terram.	10 You were the guide of its journey in its sight: you planted the roots thereof, and it filled the land.
11  Opéruit montes umbra ejus: * et arbústa ejus cedros Dei.	11 The shadow of it covered the hills: and the branches thereof the cedars of God.
12  Exténdit pálmites suos usque ad mare: * et usque ad flumen propágines ejus.	12 It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, and its boughs unto the river.
13  Ut quid destruxísti macériam ejus: * et vindémiant eam omnes, qui prætergrediúntur viam?	13 Why have you broken down the hedge thereof, so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?
14  Exterminávit eam aper de silva: * et singuláris ferus depástus est eam.	14 The boar out of the wood has laid it waste: and a singular wild beast has devoured it.
15  Deus virtútum, convértere: * réspice de cælo, et vide, et vísita víneam istam.	15 Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:
16  Et pérfice eam, quam plantávit déxtera tua: * et super fílium hóminis, quem confirmásti tibi.	16 And perfect the same which your right hand has planted: and upon the son of man whom you have confirmed for yourself.
17  Incénsa igni, et suffóssa: * ab increpatióne vultus tui períbunt.	17 Things set on fire and dug down shall perish at the rebuke of your countenance.
18  Fiat manus tua super virum déxteræ tuæ: * et super fílium hóminis quem confirmásti tibi.	18 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand: and upon the son of man whom you have confirmed for yourself
19  Et non discédimus a te, vivificábis nos: * et nomen tuum invocábimus.	19 And we depart not from you, you shall quicken us: and we will call upon your name.
20  Dómine, Deus virtútum, convérte nos: * et osténde fáciem tuam, et salvi érimus.	20 O Lord God of hosts, convert us and show your face, and we shall be saved

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	John 10:1-15 (1)
RB cursus	Thursday Matins II, 1
Monastic feasts etc	-
Roman pre 1911	Thursday matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Friday Terce . 1970:
Mass propers (EF)	-