The Christian Use of the Psalter

PSALM 1. Deus deorum

The second advent of Christ as the final Judge of the world, and especially of His Church.

PSALM li. Miserere mei, DeusAsh Wednesday (Commination Service)

The Church's confession of sin, and of failure to fulfil her great vocation in the world; her prayer to Christ for forgiveness and restoration. (See on Ps. vi.)

PSALM lii. Quid gloriaris?

The Church's challenge to "the prince of this world" and to Antichrist; and the confession of her own eternal hope in Christ.

PSALM liii. Dixit insipiens

See on Ps. xiv.

PSALM liv. Deus, in nomineGood Friday, morning (Prayer Book)

A prayer of Christ in His Passion, and His self-consecration to the Father.

PSALM lv. Exaudi, Deus

A prayer of Christ in His loneliness and desolation, amidst the treachery of His enemies and especially of His false disciple.

PSALM lvi. Miserere mei, Deus

Christ's complaint to the Father against the contradiction of sinners; His confidence in the Father's word, and His sure hope in His Resurrection.

PSALM lvii. Miserere mei, DeusEaster Day, morning (Prayer Book)

The Psalm of Christ "glorified" through His Passion and Resurrection.

PSALM lviii. Si vere utique

Christ's judgment upon sinners; the vindication of Divine justice.

PSALM lix. Eripe me de inimicis

A prayer of Christ in His Passion against the malice of His enemies; His denunciation of their impenitence; His hope of the Resurrection and the final vindication of Divine justice.

PSALM lx. Deus, repulisti nos

A prayer of the scattered and persecuted Church, and the answer of the triumphant Christ (under the figure of David's victories).

PSALM lxi. Exaudi, Deus

A prayer of the scattered Church, praying to be established on the rock of Christ; her confession of faith in the eternal royalty of Christ.

PSALM lxii. Nonne Deo?

The Church's confidence in Christ her rock in contrast with the falsehood of the world and the deceitfulness of riches; her faith in the ultimate manifestation of the Divine justice.

PSALM lxiii. Deus, Deus meus

A prayer of the exiled Church; her joy in worship, and her confidence in the sovereignty of Christ.

PSALM lxiv. Exaudi, Deus

A prayer of Christ in His Passion; the prediction of the overthrow of the Jewish nation, and the continual testimony of this overthrow to the truth of Christ.

PSALM lxv. Te decet hymnus

The Church's hope of her heavenly inheritance in Christ, and of the regeneration of the earth by the river of His spiritual gifts. The Psalm seems to be a forecast of the joy and prosperity of "the new heaven and the new earth."

PSALM lxvi. Jubilate DeoThanksgiving after a Storm at Sea (Prayer Book)

The thanksgiving of the Church in the conversion of the world; she looks forward to the end of this world and her deliverance from its sufferings, and contemplates her entrance into the eternal worship of heaven.

PSALM lxvii. Deus misereaturAlternative to Nunc Dimittis; Holy Matrimony (Prayer Book)

The joy of the Church in the conversion of the world to Christ; her hope of God's blessing upon all her works.

PSALM lxviii. Exurgat DeusWhitsun Day, morning (Prayer Book)

The triumphant procession-hymn of the Catholic Church in her progress through the world; rejoicing in the gifts of the ascended Christ, and in the hope of the conversion of the heathen.

PSALM lxix. Salvum me fac

Matt. xxvii. 34; John ii. 17, xix. 28, 29; Rom. xv. 3. Good Friday, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ; a denunciation of Divine vengeance upon the Jews; concluding with a prophecy of the calling and continuance of the Church.

PSALM lxx. Deus in adjutorium

A Psalm similar in tone to the preceding; it may be applied to Christ in His Passion, or to the faithful ones who suffer with Him, and look to Him as Redeemer.

PSALM lxxi. In te, Domine, speraviVisitation of the Sick (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of Christ sharing our human life with its vicissitudes and troubles—born of Mary, increasing in wisdom and stature, suffering persecution, proclaiming the Gospel, dying, and rising "from the deep of the earth again" (ver. 18). Consequently it is a Psalm of the saintly life in its conformity to Christ,

PSALM lxxii. Deus, indiciumMatt. ii. 1-11

The Church's joy in Christ, as the Son of David and the King of humanity. The peace and justice of His Kingdom are described, its universality and eternity.

PSALM lxxiii. Quam bonus Israel!

A Psalm of the inward struggle and victory of faith. Christ Himself may be heard speaking in it, as He is "the author and finisher of our faith," and in His human soul fought for us the battle of faith. So the Psalm becomes the Church's testimony to the individual believer of that ultimate answer to the trials of faith which is found in union with God through Christ.

PSALM lxxiv. Ut quid, Deus?

A Psalm of the Church, persecuted and despoiled, appealing to the eternal sovereignty of Christ over nature and man, as it has been revealed in all the history of the Church, both under the old covenant and the new.

PSALM lxxv. Confitebimur tibi

A dialogue, as it were, between Christ and His Church. He asserts His sovereignty over the world, His justice, and its ultimate vindication.

PSALM lxxvi. Notus in Judæa

A Psalm of the victory of Christ; of "the wrath of the Lamb," and the final judgment of the world.

PSALM lxxvii. Voce mea ad Dominum

Like Ps. lxxiii., a Psalm of the struggles of faith. The thought of God's past work in His Church as revealed in history, and of His eternal years, is the Church's consolation when He seems to hide His face.

PSALM lxxviii. Attendite, populeMatt. xiii. 35; cf. xxiii. 37

The voice of Christ recounting the history of His Church, His patience and mercy with backslidings, His many deliverances; ending with His own Incarnation and personal rule of His Church, under the figure of David's call to the throne.

PSALM lxxix. Deus, venerunt

A prayer of the Church, especially of the martyrs and confessors, in time of persecution and bloodshed.

PSALM lxxx. Qui regis Israel

A prayer of the Church when the light of God's presence waxes dim, when Christ's vineyard is broken into by secular oppression. The Church prays that Christ's power may again be made known (ver. 17) and that she herself may be converted.

PSALM lxxxi. Exultate Deo

The Church's joy in her past deliverances; the warning voice of Christ (ver. 6 onwards) shewing that the Church's own failures in loyalty are the cause of her oppressions. Greater faithfulness would have brought deliverance, and greater joy in Christ's sacramental gifts (ver. 17).

PSALM lxxxii. Deus stetitJohn x. 34-6

The voice of Christ bearing witness to the ideal greatness of man, and to man's failure in his responsibility as God's vicegerent in the world, especially in the administration of justice. He Himself is set forth as the true and perfect Judge of the world.

PSALM lxxxiii. Deus, quis similis?

A prayer of the Church against the confederacy of her enemies. She prays that their defeat may lead to their conversion to Christ.

PSALM lxxxiv. Quam dilecta!

A Psalm of the Church in her pilgrimage through this world. She expresses especially her joy in public worship, the comfort which the hope of the heavenly worship brings amidst human sorrows, and her eternal hope in Christ.

PSALM lxxxv. Benedixisti, DomineChristmas Day, morning (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the Church's joy in the Incarnation, as the proof of forgiveness for the past, and the beginning of a new and better world.

PSALM lxxxvi. Inclina, Domine

A Psalm of Christ and of the Christian soul, renewing the dedication of self to God, praying for strength against the trials of the world, and for the manifestation to the world of God's presence with those who love Him.

PSALM lxxxvli. Fundamenta ejus

A Psalm describing the catholicity of the Church, and the new birth of Baptism whereby members of all nations become her citizens and find in her the source of all joy and refreshment.

PSALM lxxxviii. Domine DeusGood Friday, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of Christ's desolation, the darkness on the Cross, His death and burial and descent into hell.

PSALM lxxxix. Misericordias DominiChristmas Day, evening (Prayer Book)

The Church's praise for the promises of the Incarnation, and their fulfilment in the line of David. The certainty of the eternal reign of Christ and the preservation of His Church. At ver. 37 the tone changes to prayer respecting the present eclipse of Christ's glory, and the failures of His Church. The Psalm ends, as it were, with the appeal of Christ Himself to the Father (49-50) for His suffering Church.

PSALM xc. Domine, refugiumBurial of the Dead (Prayer Book)

The Psalm of the Church's hope in the eternity of God, and the unfailing nature of His purpose to restore man in Christ, in contrast with man's mortality, his short life and earthly failure.

PSALM xci. Qui habitat

A Psalm of the trust of Christ and of the Christian soul in the providence of God, in the continual ministry of the angels, and in the final discomfiture of the powers of evil.

PSALM xcii. Bonum est confiteri

A thanksgiving of Christ for His Resurrection and for the eternal hope of His Church.

PSALM xciii. Dominus regnavit

A Psalm of the sovereignty of the ascended Christ; His supremacy over nature and the storms of this world.

PSALM xciv. Deus ultionum

A prayer of the Church for the second coming of Christ, and the manifestation of the Divine justice; ending (ver. 12, etc.) with the expression of the Church's patience, her acceptance of tribulation, and her sure confidence in the coming of Christ.

PSALM xcv. Venite, exultemusHeb. iii. 7-iv. 11. Morning Prayer, daily (Prayer Book)

The Church's prelude to worship: the expression of her joy and trust in God's creation and preservation; her daily warning against failure through unbelief (like Israel of old) to enter into God's rest.

PSALM xcvi. Cantate Domino

The Church's outburst of joy in the universal sovereignty of Christ. She calls to the heathen world to acknowledge Him, and looks forward with rapture to His second Advent.

PSALM xcvii. Dominus regnavit

The Church's declaration to the world of the sovereignty of Christ, and of His second Advent. She reminds herself of the moral fruits of Christ's kingdom, and of the Christian joy which springs from His service.

PSALM xcviii. Cantate DominoAlternative to Magnificat (Prayer Book)

The triumph song of the Church in the redeeming work of Christ, in which she calls all nature and the heathen world to join.

PSALM xcix. Dominus regnavit

Again, a Psalm of the sovereignty of Christ. The Church sings of the essential holiness of His kingdom, of His mercy and His chastisements, and calls on the world to worship Him.

PSALM c. Jubilate DeoAlternative to Benedictus (Prayer Book)

The Church's triumphant call to all the world to worship with her; she confesses her dependence on Christ, and the unfailing truth of His Gospel.

PSALM ci. Misericordiam et judiciumKing's Accession (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the Church testifying her desire and endeavour to imitate both the mercy and the justice of Christ, and to exercise just discipline over her members, remembering the judgment-seat of Christ. A Psalm also appropriate to a Christian ruler, as the minister of Christ.

PSALM cii. Domine exaudiHeb. i. 10-12. Ash Wednesday, evening (Prayer Book)

This may be regarded in part as appropriate to our Lord weeping over Jerusalem; in a wider sense it is a Psalm of the faithful sorrowing over the decay of the Church, offering their penitence, looking forward to restoration, and trusting in the changelessness of Christ, Who remains the same though earth and heaven pass away, and has promised the like continuance to His Church.

PSALM ciii. Benedic, anima mea

A Psalm of the Church's thanksgiving for God's forgiveness in Christ, for His love in the past and the certainty of its continuance in the future. Angels and saints and the powers of nature are summoned to join in this thanksgiving.

PSALM civ. Benedic, anima meaWhitsun Day, evening (Prayer Book)

The Church's witness to the immanence of the Word in all creation; she recognises this in the beauty, the order, the preservation of all forms of varied life. Especially in the renewal of natural life (vv. 30-5) she recognises and praises the life-giving activity of the Holy Spirit, and sees in it a prophecy of the restoration of all things in the Resurrection to their first perfection, and the final overthrow of evil.

PSALM cv. Confitemini Domino

A Psalm of the Church's thanksgiving as she reviews her history and the providence which has preserved her in all vicissitudes, and considers the eternal inheritance which is the reward of obedience.

PSALM cvi. Confitemini Domino

Also an historical Psalm, in which the Church in time of exile and persecution recalls God's providence, and her many failures; she places her trust in the intercession of Christ, of Whom Moses was a type, and prays for her restoration.

PSALM cvii. Confitemini DominoThanksgiving after a Storm at Sea (Prayer Book)

The Church celebrates the age-long compassion of God towards the wanderer, the prisoner, the sufferer, as seen in the salvation of His Church, and in the Incarnation of the Word (ver. 20). The refrain (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31) exhorts to thanksgiving, and especially to the offering of the Holy Eucharist (ver. 22).

PSALM cviii. Paratum cor meumAscension Day, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of Christ glorified in His Resurrection, praying for His Church and foretelling His future victories (under the figure of David's wars). The last three verses seem to be the prayer of the Church and the voice of her confidence of ultimate triumph in Christ.

PSALM cix. Deus laudemActs i. 20

A Psalm of Christ's judgment upon impenitent sinners; His prayer for Himself in His Passion, and for His Church in whose sufferings at the hands of sinners He Himself is crucified afresh.

PSALM cx. Dixit Dominus

Matt. xxii. 41-5 (parallels in Mark and Luke); Acts ii. 34, 35; Heb. i. 13, v. 6-vii. Christmas Day, evening (Prayer Book)

The Church's witness to the Divinity of Christ, to His eternal Priesthood, His warfare, sufferings, and victory.

PSALM cxi. Confitebor tibiEaster Day, morning (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of Christ praising the Father for His Resurrection; in which His Church also joins, commemorating the Eucharist (ver. 5), the new and eternal covenant, and the sacredness of the truth committed to her keeping.

PSALM cxii. Beatus vir

The Church's testimony to the blessedness of the life of faith, hope, and charity, of which she has seen the perfect example in Christ Himself.

PSALM cxiii. Laudate, pueriEaster Day, evening (Prayer Book)

The world-wide joy of the Church in the Catholic faith of the Incarnation, by which man is exalted from the dust of Adam's fall, and is no longer "subject to vanity," but made equal to the angels.

PSALM cxiv. In exitu IsraelEaster Day, evening (Prayer Book)

The Church's song of deliverance through the mighty power of the Resurrection. A Psalm also of the Christian soul delivered from the Egypt of this world, and crossing the Jordan of death to the joy of the heavenly Canaan.

PSALM cxv. Non nobis, Domine

A continuation of the previous Psalm: the Church's joy in the living God, in Whom she hopes for life eternal; she calls upon priests and people alike to praise Him.

PSALM cxvi. Dilexi, quoniamChurching of Women (Prayer Book)

A thanksgiving of Christ and His Church for the Resurrection; with reference especially to the offering of the Eucharist, and the joy of Holy Communion, and also to the final rest and thanksgiving of the saints in Paradise.

PSALM cxvii. Laudate Dominum

The Church's call to the heathen world to praise God by conversion to the faith of Christ.

PSALM cxviii. Confitemini Domino

Matt. xxi. 9, 42, xxiii. 39 (with parallels in Mark and Luke). Easter Day, evening (Prayer Book)

The great Psalm of thanksgiving by Christ and His Church for the Resurrection, the victory over death and the judgment of the prince of this world. A Psalm especially appropriate for Sunday, and as a prelude to the Church's worship in the Holy Eucharist.

[It is the special Psalm for Sunday at Prime in the Breviary.]

PSALM cxix. Beati immaculati

The characteristic Psalm of the Catholic Church, in which she expresses her loyalty to and joy in all that God has revealed and commanded. It is animated throughout by the spirit of sonship, of which the perfect realisation is seen in Christ Himself. It may therefore be regarded as a Psalm of Christ, with Whom the Church associates herself in its recitation.

PSALM cxx. Ad Dominum

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church praying for peace and deliverance from the ceaseless and bitter warfare of this world.

PSALM cxxi. Levavi oculosAccession Service (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the Church's pilgrimage through this world's perils, as she journeys towards the eternal hills and the city of God.

PSALM cxxii. Lætatus sum

The joy of the Christian soul in the Catholic Church and in Catholic worship. The hope of the Church in her pilgrimage towards the heavenly Jerusalem and the throne of Christ.

PSALM cxxiii. Ad te levavi oculos meos

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church amidst this world's scorn and contempt, expressing her absolute dependence upon Christ.

PSALM cxxiv. Nisi quid DominusPart of the Hymn of Thanksgiving for a Victory at Sea (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church's deliverance from the storms and waves of this troublesome world; her unshaken confidence in Christ.

PSALM cxxv. Qui confidunt

The confidence of the pilgrim Church in the unceasing protection of Christ against the attacks of an evil world, and the apostasy of false Christians.

PSALM cxxvi. In convertendo

The joy of the pilgrim Church in her great deliverance from the captivity of this world; her hope that through tribulation she will be made perfect.

PSALM cxxvii. Nisi DominusChurching of Women (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church confessing that her progress and her enlargement cannot be the fruit of human care and labour, but of the grace of Christ only.

PSALM cxxviii. Beati omnesHoly Matrimony (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church celebrating the consecration of human life and labour through the Incarnation.

PSALM cxxix. Sæpe expugnaverunt

A Psalm of the warfare and persecutions of the pilgrim Church, and of the vanity and fruitlessness of the attacks of her enemies.

PSALM cxxx. De profundisAsh Wednesday, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the sorrows, the ceaseless watching, and the undying hope of the pilgrim Church. Especially appropriate to the souls of departed Christians, the Church Expectant, who wait for the second Advent.

PSALM cxxxi. Domine, non est

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church expressing her humility, her submission to revelation, her unceasing trust in Christ.

PSALM cxxxii. Memento, DomineChristmas Day, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm in which the pilgrim Church joyfully commemorates before God the Incarnation of His Son, and His age-long indwelling within her; and His gift in the Eucharist (ver. 16); and expresses her faith in the eternal sovereignty of Christ.

PSALM cxxxiii. Ecce, quam bonum!

A Psalm in which the pilgrim Church expresses her joy in her essential unity, the gift of the unction of the Holy Spirit poured upon her from the ascended Christ.

PSALM cxxxiv. Ecce nunc

A Psalm of the pilgrim Church as she contemplates her entry into the eternal sanctuary, the heavenly city of Christ, and the fellowship of the angels in their unceasing praise.

PSALM cxxxv. Laudate Nomen

The Church's thanksgiving for her calling in Christ, and the eternal rule of Christ over nature and man; she expresses her confidence in the living Christ Who dwells within her, in contrast with this world's idolatries.

PSALM cxxxvi. Confitemini

A Psalm of the Church's thanksgiving for the eternal mercy of Christ, as seen in creation, and in her own history and deliverances, and also in His abiding gift of the Eucharist (ver. 25).

PSALM cxxxvii. Super flumina

A Psalm of the sorrows of the Church in her captivity in this world, where she is persecuted and misunderstood. She expresses her loyalty to her heavenly calling, her desire for "Jerusalem which is above," and her warfare with Babylon, for whose overthrow she confidently waits.

PSALM cxxxviii. Confitebor tibi

A Psalm of Christ and His saints, giving praise for the Resurrection, the hope of the conversion of the world, the Church's final deliverance, and the "redemption of the body."

PSALM cxxxix. Domine, probasti

A Psalm of the creature to the Creator, celebrating His omnipresence, His wisdom, His claim to love; praying for sincerity and the gift of perseverance. It is appropriate to Christ in His sacred manhood, in which He is "inferior to the Father" (Athanasian Creed); and therefore also a Psalm of the Church in which the human body and soul are regenerate and consecrated by the Incarnation.

PSALM cxl. Eripe me, Domine

A Psalm of Christ's warfare and Passion; pronouncing the overthrow and judgment of the wicked, and the eternal continuance of His Church.

PSALM cxli. Domine, clamavi

A Psalm of the Church's devotion to Christ; her humility in accepting rebuke and tribulation; her unceasing spirit of prayer.

PSALM cxlii. Voce mea ad Dominum

A Psalm of Christ's prayer to the Father in His Passion and Death, and His longing for the gathering together of His Church to Himself as the fruit of His Resurrection.

PSALM cxliii. Domine, exaudiAsh Wednesday, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of prayer for those who suffer with Christ; of preparation for death, and hope of the Resurrection, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

PSALM cxliv. Benedictus Dominus

A Psalm of the triumph of Christ (under the figure of David), and of the eternal blessedness of His Church through Him.

PSALM cxlv. Exaltabo te, DeusWhitsun Day, evening (Prayer Book)

A Psalm of the everlasting joy of the Church in Christ her King, in the Holy Eucharist (ver. 7), in the Communion of Saints, and in the certainty of the answer to prayer.

PSALM cxlvi. Lauda, anima mea

Like the preceding, a Psalm of the Church's thanksgiving for the eternal sovereignty of Christ in its mercy and its judgment.

PSALM cxlvii. Laudate Dominum

The joy of the Church in her calling and preservation by Christ, in the Gospel committed to her trust, and in the truth that all things temporal as well as eternal are hers in Christ, Who is Lord of all.

PSALM cxlviii. Laudate Dominum

The Church's call to the angels, to all the powers of nature, and to all estates of men to give thanks to Christ, with her.

PSALM cxlix. Cantate Domino

A Psalm of the Communion of Saints, in which the living and departed (ver. 5) unite to praise Christ their King, and ascribe to Him their victory over the powers of this world.

PSALM cl. Laudate Dominum

The eternal song of praise of the Church militant and triumphant, in which man's powers and development are consecrated to their true end, the giving of glory to the eternal Trinity.

1

Note A, p. 101.

2

Note B, p. 102.

3

"Concerning the Service of the Church," the original Preface to the Prayer Book.

4

xli. 13, lxxii. 18-19, lxxxix. 50, cvi. 46, cl.

5

Walter Pater, Gaston de Latour.

6

Virgil, eclogue iv.

7

Virgil, Aeneid, vi. 313, 314 (cf. Heb. xi. 13):