Psalm 26  Dominus illuminatio mea

Strong confidence in God

Psalm 26 consists of two strophes unlike in thought and concluded each by a finale.  Notice the beautiful priestly prayer of verse "One thing have I desired of the Lord.." 

Confidence unwavering

Dóminus illuminátio mea, et salus mea, * quem timébo?
2  Dóminus protéctor vitæ meæ, * a quo trepidábo?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; * whom then shall I fear?
2  The Lord is the protector of my life; * of whom then shall I be afraid?

Fearless with God

3  Dum apprópiant super me nocéntes, * ut edant carnes meas :
4  Qui tríbulant me inimíci mei, * ipsi infirmáti sunt et cecidérunt.
5  Si consístant advérsum me castra, * non timébit cor meum.
6   Si exsúrgat advérsum me prælium, * in hoc ego sperábo.

3  When the wicked draw nigh against me, * to eat up my flesh,
4  Even mine enemies that trouble me, * have themselves been weakened and have fallen.
5  Though an host of men were laid against me, * yet shall not my heart be afraid.
6  And though a battle should rise up against me, * yet will I put my trust in him.

Sheltered in the sanctuary

7  Unam pétii a Dómino, hanc requíram, * ut inhábitem in domo Dómini ómnibus diébus vitæ meæ :
8  Ut vídeam voluptátem Dómini, * et vísitem templum ejus.
9  Quóniam abscóndit me in tabernáculo suo: * in die malórum protéxit me in abscóndito tabernáculi sui.

7  One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require; * even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
8  To behold the fair beauty of the Lord, * and to visit his temple.
9  For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle; * in the day of evils, yea, he hath protected me in the secret place of his dwelling.

Finale

10  In petra exaltávit me: * et nunc exaltávit caput meum super inimícos meos.
11  Circuívi et immolávi in tabernáculo ejus hóstiam vociferatiónis: * cantábo et psalmum dicam Dómino.

10  He hath set me up upon a rock of stone : * and now he hath lifted up mine head above mine enemies.
11  I have gone round about, and have offered a sacrifice of jubilation in his dwelling : * I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord.

Plea for aid in inner conflict

12  Exáudi, Dómine, vocem meam, qua clamávi ad te: * miserére mei, et exáudi me.

12  Hearken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto thee; * have mercy upon me, and hear me.

Submission

13  Tibi dixit cor meum, exquisívit te fácies mea : * fáciem tuam, Dómine, requíram.
14  Ne avértas fáciem tuam a me, * ne declínes in ira a servo tuo.
15  Adjútor meus esto: * ne derelínquas me, neque despícias me, Deus, salutáris meus.
16  Quóniam pater meus, et mater mea dereliquérunt me: * Dóminus autem assúmpsit me.
17  Legem pone mihi, Dómine, in via tua: * et dírige me in sémitam rectam propter inimícos meos.
18  Ne tradíderis me in ánimas tribulántium me: * quóniam insurrexérunt in me testes iníqui et mentíta est iníquitas sibi.

13  My heart hath said unto thee, My face hath sought thee : * thy face, Lord, will I seek.
14  O hide not thou thy face from me, * nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
15  Thou hast been my succour; * leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
16  For my father and my mother have forsaken me, * but the Lord hath taken me up.
17  Set me a law in thy way, O Lord, * and lead me in the right way, because of mine enemies.
18  Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries: * for there are false witnesses risen up against me, and wickedness hath lied to itself.

Finale

19  Credo vidére bona Dómini * in terra vivéntium.
20  Exspécta Dóminum, viríliter age: * et confortétur cor tuum, et sústine Dóminum.

19  I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord * in the land of the living.
20  Expect thou the Lord and act manfully; * and thine heart shall be comforted; and wait thou for the Lord.