Look to our heavenly helper

This Psalm, so overflowing with the spirit of confidence, originated during the Jewish exile and has become a pastoral song of Mother Church for the welfare of souls.  Unceasingly she is lifting her hands heavenwards for the spiritual needs of her children.

Meditation

Ad te levávi óculos meos, * qui hábitas in cælis.
2  Ecce sicut óculi servórum, * in mánibus dominórum suórum.
3  Sicut óculi ancíllæ in mánibus dóminæ suæ: * ita óculi nostri ad Dóminum, Deum nostrum, donec misereátur nostri.

Unto thee have I lift up mine eyes, * O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2  Behold, even as the eyes of servants * look unto the hand of their masters,
3  And as the eyes of a maiden are on the hands of her mistress, * even so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us.

Prayer

4  Miserére nostri, Dómine, miserére nostri: * quia multum repléti sumus despectióne:
5  Quia multum repléta est ánima nostra: * oppróbrium abundántibus, et despéctio supérbis.

4  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us; * for we are utterly despised.
5  Our soul is greatly filled; * we are a reproof to the wealthy, and contempt to the proud.