The splendour of God in the tempest

Nature songs are appropriate to Lauds, the morning prayer of all creation.  In this majestic psalm of storm and tempest we may consider the voice of God's thunder an image of the irresistible voice of his interior grace.  God speaks within my soul today, and I must listen reverently and ascribe unto him the honour due unto his Name.

Invitation to praise God

Afférte Dómino, fílii Dei: * afférte Dómino fílios aríetum.
2  Afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem, afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.

Bring unto the Lord, O ye children of God, * bring unto the Lord the offspring of rams.
2  Bring unto the Lord glory and honour, yea, bring unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name; * worship ye the Lord in his holy court.

Storm over the sea

3  Vox Dómini super aquas, Deus majestátis intónuit: * Dóminus super aquas multas.
4  Vox Dómini in virtúte: * vox Dómini in magnificéntia.

3  The voice of the Lord is upon the waters, the God of majesty hath thundered, * the Lord is upon many waters.
4  The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; * the voice of the Lord in magnificence.

Storm over Lebanon

5  Vox Dómini confringéntis cedros: * et confrínget Dóminus cedros Líbani.
6  Et commínuet eas tamquam vítulum Líbani: * et diléctus quemádmodum fílius unicórnium.

5  The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedar-trees; * yea, the Lord shall break the cedars of Lebanon.
6  And shall reduce them to pieces like a calf of Lebanon; * and as the beloved son of the unicorn.

Storm over the desert

7  Vox Dómini intercidéntis flammam ignis: * vox Dómini concutiéntis desértum: et commovébit Dóminus desértum Cades.
8  Vox Dómini præparántis cervos, et revelábit condénsa: * et in templo ejus omnes dicent glóriam.

7  The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire; * the voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; yea, the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
8  The voice of the Lord prepareth the hinds, and he will strip bare the forests: * and in his temple doth every thing speak of his honour.

The blessings of the Lord on his people

9  Dóminus dilúvium inhabitáre facit: * et sedébit Dóminus Rex in ætérnum.
10  Dóminus virtútem pópulo suo dabit: * Dóminus benedícet pópulo suo in pace.

9  The Lord maketh the water-flood to dwell, * and the Lord shall remain King for ever.
10  The Lord shall give strength unto his people; * the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.