Psalm 85.  Inclina, Domine

A plea in greatest need

This Psalm is particularly fervent in tone; we are conscious of our human misery; we are in great crisis; we have the deepest trust in God.

Petition

Inclína, Dómine, aurem tuam, et exáudi me : * quóniam inops, et pauper sum ego.
2  Custódi ánimam meam, quóniam sanctus sum : * salvum fac servum tuum, Deus meus, sperántem in te.
3  Miserére mei, Dómine, quóniam ad te clamávi tota die : * lætífica ánimam servi tui, quóniam ad te, Dómine, ánimam meam levávi.
4  Quóniam tu, Dómine, suávis et mitis : * et multæ misericórdiæ ómnibus invocántibus te.
5  Auribus pércipe, Dómine, oratiónem meam : * et inténde voci deprecatiónis meæ.
6  In die tribulatiónis meæ clamávi ad te : * quia exaudísti me.

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me; * for I am poor, and in misery.
2  Preserve thou my soul, for I am holy: * my God, save thy servant that putteth his trust in thee.
3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I have cried unto thee all the day * comfort the soul of thy servant, for unto thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.
4  For thou, O Lord, art gracious and meek, * and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
5  Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer, * and ponder the voice of my petition.
6  In the time of my trouble I have called upon thee; * for thou didst hear me.

God's greatness and power

7  Non est símilis tui in diis, Dómine : * et non est secúndum ópera tua.
8  Omnes gentes quascúmque fecísti, vénient, et adorábunt coram te, Dómine : * et glorificábunt nomen tuum.
9  Quóniam magnus es tu, et fáciens mirabília : * tu es Deus solus.

7  Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; * there is not one that can do as thou doest.
8  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship thee, O Lord; * and shall glorify thy Name.
9  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: * thou art God alone.

Prayer and rewarded trust

10  Deduc me, Dómine, in via tua, et ingrédiar in veritáte tua : * lætétur cor meum ut tímeat nomen tuum.
11  Confitébor tibi, Dómine, Deus meus, in toto corde meo, * et glorificábo nomen tuum in ætérnum.
12  Quia misericórdia tua magna est super me : * et eruísti ánimam meam ex inférno inferióri.

10  Lead me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth: * O let my heart rejoice, that it may fear thy Name.
11  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart; * and will glorify thy Name for evermore.
12  For great is thy mercy toward me; * and thou hast delivered my soul from the nethermost hell.

Prayer and lament

13  Deus iníqui insurrexérunt super me, et synagóga poténtium quæsiérunt ánimam meam : * et non proposuérunt te in conspéctu suo.
14  Et tu, Dómine, Deus miserátor et miséricors, * pátiens, et multæ misericórdiæ, et verax.
15  Réspice in me, et miserére mei, * da impérium tuum púero tuo : et salvum fac fílium ancíllæ tuæ.

13  O God, the wicked are risen up against me, and the congregations of the mighty have sought after my soul, * and they have not set thee before their eyes.
14  But thou, O Lord God, art full of compassion and mercy, * long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and truth.
15  O turn thee then unto me, and have mercy upon me; * give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Finale

16  Fac mecum signum in bonum, ut vídeant qui odérunt me, et confundántur : * quóniam tu, Dómine, adjuvísti me, et consolátus es me.

16  Show some token upon me for good; that they who hate me may see it, and be ashamed, * because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.