(A lament of David’s, which he sang to the Lord because of Chus, the Benjamite.)

Psalmus David, quem cantavit Domino pro verbis Chusi, filii Jemini.

The psalm of David, which he sung to the Lord, for the words of Chusi, the son of Jemini. (2 Kings 16.)

O Lord my God, my confidence is in thee; save me from all my pursuers, and grant me deliverance:

Domine Deus meus, in te speravi; salvum me fac ex omnibus persequentibus me, et libera me:

O Lord, my God, in thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

else must I fall a helpless prey to the lion, be torn in pieces, with none to bring me aid.

nequando rapiat ut leo animam meam, dum non est qui redimat, neque qui salvum faciat.

Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.

O Lord my God, if I too have been at fault, if these hands are stained with guilt;

Domine Deus meus, si feci istud, si est iniquitas in manibus meis,

O Lord, my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands:

if I have been a false friend, and not rather spared even those that wronged me,

si reddidi retribuentibus mihi mala, decidam merito ab inimicis meis inanis.

If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies.

then indeed let some enemy overtake me with his relentless pursuit, trample me to earth, and level my pride with the dust!

Persequatur inimicus animam meam, et comprehendat; et conculcet in terra vitam meam, et gloriam meam in pulverem deducat.

Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life, on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust.

Lord, rise up in thy anger, countervail the malice of my enemies; bestir thyself, O Lord my God, in defence of the laws thou thyself hast given us.

Exsurge, Domine, in ira tua, et exaltare in finibus inimicorum meorum: et exsurge, Domine Deus meus, in præcepto quod mandasti,

Rise up, O Lord, in thy anger: and be thou exalted in the borders of my enemies. And arise, O Lord, my God, in the precept which thou hast commanded:

All the nations will gather about thee, if thou wilt come back to thy throne and rule them,

et synagoga populorum circumdabit te: et propter hanc in altum regredere:

and a congregation of people shall surround thee. And for their sakes return thou on high.

the Lord judging the nations! Give me redress, Lord, in my uprightness, in all the innocence of my heart.

Dominus judicat populos. Judica me, Domine, secundum justitiam meam, et secundum innocentiam meam super me.

The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me.

Surely thou wilt put an end to the wrong-doing of the wicked, and prosper the innocent; no thought or desire of ours can escape the scrutiny of thy divine justice.

Consumetur nequitia peccatorum, et diriges justum, scrutans corda et renes, Deus.

The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought: and thou shalt direct the just: the searcher of hearts and reins is God.

From the Lord, refuge of true hearts, my protection comes.

Justum adjutorium meum a Domino, qui salvos facit rectos corde.

Just is my help from the Lord: who saveth the upright of heart.

God judges ever true; day by day his indignation mounts up;

Deus judex justus, fortis, et patiens; numquid irascitur per singulos dies?

God is a just judge, strong and patient: is he angry every day?

if they do not repent, his sword will flash bright; he has bent and aimed his bow;

Nisi conversi fueritis, gladium suum vibrabit; arcum suum tetendit, et paravit illum.

Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword: he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

deadly are the weapons he is preparing for them; he has barbed his arrows with fire.

Et in eo paravit vasa mortis, sagittas suas ardentibus effecit.

And in it he hath prepared the instruments of death, he hath made ready his arrows for them that burn.

Here was a heart pregnant with malice, that conceived only spite, and gave birth only to empty promise!

Ecce parturiit injustitiam; concepit dolorem, et peperit iniquitatem.

Behold he hath been in labour with injustice; he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity.

Here was one who dug a pit and sunk it deep, and fell into a snare of his own setting!

Lacum aperuit, et effodit eum; et incidit in foveam quam fecit.

He hath opened a pit and dug it: and he is fallen into the hole he made.

All his spite will recoil on himself, all his violence will fall his own head.

Convertetur dolor ejus in caput ejus, et in verticem ipsius iniquitas ejus descendet.

His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: and his iniquity shall come down upon his crown.

I will ever thank the Lord for his just retribution, singing praises to the name of the Lord, the most High.

Confitebor Domino secundum justitiam ejus, et psallam nomini Domini altissimi.

I will give glory to the Lord according to his justice: and will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.