Psalmorum 107
1 Alleluia. Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus: quoniam in sæculum misericordia eius.
Thank the Lord, for he is good! His trustworthy love continues forever!
2 Dicant qui redempti sunt a Domino, quos redemit de manu inimici: et de regionibus congregavit eos:
Let those the Lord has saved say that they are saved; those he has rescued from the power of the enemy.
3 A solis ortu, et occasu: ab Aquilone, et mari.
He has gathered them together from distant lands, from the east and the west, the north and the south.
4 Erraverunt in solitudine in inaquoso: viam civitatis habitaculi non invenerunt,
They wandered in the desert wilderness, unable to find a way to a city where they could live.
5 Esurientes, et sitientes: anima eorum in ipsis defecit.
Hungry and thirsty, they became very discouraged.
6 Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur: et de necessitatibus eorum eripuit eos.
Then they cried out to the Lord to help them in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.
7 Et deduxit eos in viam rectam: ut irent in civitatem habitationis.
He led them along a straight way to a city where they could live.
8 Confiteantur Domino misericordiæ eius: et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.
9 Quia satiavit animam inanem: et animam esurientem satiavit bonis.
For he gives drink to those who are thirsty, and food to those who are hungry.
10 Sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis: vinctos in mendicitate, et ferro.
Some sat in complete darkness, prisoners of misery and bound with iron chains,
11 Quia exacerbaverunt eloquia Dei: et consilium Altissimi irritaverunt.
for they had rebelled against what God had said; they had rejected the guidance of the Most High.
12 Et humiliatum est in laboribus cor eorum: infirmati sunt, nec fuit qui adiuvaret.
So he humbled their pride with the troubles of life; they tripped over and no one was there to stop them falling.
13 Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur: et de necessitatibus eorum liberavit eos.
Then they called out to the Lord for help in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.
14 Et eduxit eos de tenebris, et umbra mortis: et vincula eorum dirupit.
He brought them out of complete darkness, he broke their chains to pieces.
15 Confiteantur Domino misericordiæ eius: et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.
16 Quia contrivit portas æreas: et vectes ferreos confregit.
For he breaks down the bronze doors, and cuts through the iron bars.
17 Suscepit eos de via iniquitatis eorum: propter iniustitias enim suas humiliati sunt.
They were stupid because they rebelled; they suffered for their sins.
18 Omnem escam abominata est anima eorum: et appropinquaverunt usque ad portas mortis.
They didn't want to eat; they were at death's door.
19 Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur: et de necessitatibus eorum liberavit eos.
Then they called out to the Lord for help in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.
20 Misit verbum suum, et sanavit eos: et eripuit eos de interitionibus eorum.
He gave the command and he healed them; he saved them from the grave.
21 Confiteantur Domino misericordiæ eius: et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.
22 Et sacrificent sacrificium laudis: et annuncient opera eius in exultatione.
Let them present thank offerings and sing with joy about what he has done.
23 Qui descendunt mare in navibus, facientes operationem in aquis multis.
Those who set sail in ships, crossing the seas to earn their living,
24 Ipsi viderunt opera Domini, et mirabilia eius in profundo.
they have seen the Lord's incredible power at work—the wonderful things he did in the deepest oceans.
25 Dixit, et stetit spiritus procellæ: et exaltati sunt fluctus eius.
He only had to speak to cause a stormy wind that stirred up towering waves,
26 Ascendunt usque ad cælos, et descendunt usque ad abyssos: anima eorum in malis tabescebat.
lifting the ships high in the air and then plunging them down. The sailors were so terrified that their courage melted away.
27 Turbati sunt, et moti sunt sicut ebrius: et omnis sapientia eorum devorata est.
They staggered around, falling from side to side like drunks—all their seamanship skills were useless.
28 Et clamaverunt ad Dominum cum tribularentur, et de necessitatibus eorum eduxit eos.
Then they cried out to the Lord to help them in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.
29 Et statuit procellam eius in auram: et siluerunt fluctus eius.
He calmed the storm, the waves were quiet.
30 Et lætati sunt quia siluerunt: et deduxit eos in portum voluntatis eorum.
The sailors were so happy when it all calmed down, and he brought them to the harbor they wanted.
31 Confiteantur Domino misericordiæ eius: et mirabilia eius filiis hominum.
Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.
32 Et exaltent eum in Ecclesia plebis: et in cathedra seniorum laudent eum.
Let them say how wonderful he is in front of the whole congregation and the elders.
33 Posuit flumina in desertum: et exitus aquarum in sitim.
He dries up rivers and turns the land into a desert; the water springs stop flowing and the earth turns dry and dusty.
34 Terram fructiferam in salsuginem, a malitia inhabitantium in ea.
Fruitful ground becomes a salty wasteland because of the wickedness of those living there.
35 Posuit desertum in stagna aquarum: et terram sine aqua in exitus aquarum.
But he also turns around and makes pools of water in the desert, and makes water springs flow in a dry and dusty land.
36 Et collocavit illic esurientes: et constituerunt civitatem habitationis.
He brings hungry people to live there—a place they can build their cities.
37 Et seminaverunt agros, et plantaverunt vineas: et fecerunt fructum nativitatis.
They sow their fields and plant their vineyards, producing a good harvest.
38 Et benedixit eis, et multiplicati sunt nimis: et iumenta eorum non minoravit.
He takes care of them, and their numbers increase dramatically—their cattle too!
39 Et pauci facti sunt: et vexati sunt a tribulatione malorum, et dolore.
When they become few, brought low by oppression, misery, and sorrow,
40 Effusa est contemptio super principes: et errare fecit eos in invio, et non in via.
He pours out his contempt on their leaders, making them wander, lost in the wilderness.
41 Et adiuvit pauperem de inopia: et posuit sicut oves familias.
But he lifts the poor out of their troubles, and makes their families as big as flocks.
42 Videbunt recti, et lætabuntur: et omnis iniquitas oppilabit os suum.
Those who live right will observe what is happening and be glad, but the wicked will be silenced.
43 Quis sapiens et custodiet hæc? et intelliget misericordias Domini?
Those who are wise will pay attention to all this, and thoughtfully reflect on the Lord's trustworthy love.
