Psalm 55.  Miserere mei, Deus

Great crisis and great trust in God

The Church is speaking in this Psalm.  With tears and deep solicitude she looks upon the evil one attacking her dear children; and confident in God, she lifts up her hands to him in trusting prayer.  "The world hath hated them...," she reflects.  "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (John 17:15).

Plea for aid

Miserére mei, Deus, quóniam conculcávit me homo: * tota die impúgnans tribulávit me.
2  Conculcavérunt me inimíci mei tota die: * quóniam multi bellántes advérsum me.

Be merciful unto me, O God, for man hath trodden me underfoot; * all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
2  Mine enemies have trodden upon me all the day long; * for they be many that make war against me.

Confidence

3  Ab altitúdine diéi timébo: * ego vero in te sperábo.
4  In Deo laudábo sermónes meos, in Deo sperávi: * non timébo quid fáciat mihi caro.

3  From the height of the day I shall fear, * yet put I my trust in thee.
4  In God will I praise my words, in God have I put my trust, * I will not be afraid what flesh can do unto me.

The crisis described

5  Tota die verba mea exsecrabántur: * advérsum me omnes cogitatiónes eórum in malum.
6  Inhabitábunt, et abscóndent: * ipsi calcáneum meum observábunt.
7  Sicut sustinuérunt ánimam meam, pro níhilo salvos fácies illos: * in ira pópulos confrínges.

5  All the day long they detested my words; * all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
6  They will dwell and hide themselves, * and mark my steps.
7  As they have laid wait for my soul, for nothing shalt thou save them : * in thy displeasure thou shalt break the people.

Renewed confidence

8  Deus, vitam meam annuntiávi tibi: * posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.
9  Sicut et in promissióne tua: * tunc converténtur inimíci mei retrórsum :
10  In quacúmque die invocávero te: * ecce cognóvi quóniam Deus meus es.
11  In Deo laudábo verbum, in Dómino laudábo sermónem: * in Deo sperávi, non timébo quid fáciat mihi homo.

8  O God, I have declared my life unto thee : * thou hast set my tears in thy sight.
9  As also in thy promise : * then shall mine enemies be put to flight.
10  In what day soever I shall call upon thee, * behold I know thou art my God.
11  In God will I praise the word, yea, in the Lord will I praise his speech : * in God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Thanksgiving and a promise

12  In me sunt, Deus, vota tua, * quæ reddam,  laudatiónes tibi.
13  Quóniam eripuísti ánimam meam de morte, et pedes meos de lapsu: * ut pláceam coram Deo in lúmine vivéntium.

12  Unto thee, O God, will I pay the vows that are in me; * unto thee be the praise.
13  For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, * that I may walk before God in the light of the living.