In finem. Psalmus David.

(To the choir-master. Of David.)

In Domino confido; quomodo dicitis animæ meæ: Transmigra in montem sicut passer?

My trust is in the Lord; how is it that you say to me, Escape, like a frightened sparrow, to the hill-side?

In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow.

Quoniam ecce peccatores intenderunt arcum; paraverunt sagittas suas in pharetra, ut sagittent in obscuro rectos corde:

Escape; the rebels have strung their bows, have arrows ready on the string, to shoot from their hiding-places at an unoffending heart;

For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver; to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.

quoniam quæ perfecisti destruxerunt; justus autem, quid fecit?

they have thrown down all thou hadst built; what hope, now, for the just man?

For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: but what has the just man done?

Dominus in templo sancto suo; Dominus in cælo sedes ejus. Oculi ejus in pauperem respiciunt; palpebræ ejus interrogant filios hominum.

Is not the Lord in his holy shrine, the same Lord whose throne is in heaven, whose eye watches, whose glance can appraise, the deeds of men?

The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.

Dominus interrogat justum et impium; qui autem diligit iniquitatem, odit animam suam.

Innocent or sinful, he reads every heart, and the friends of wrong-doing are his enemies.

The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.

Pluet super peccatores laqueos; ignis et sulphur, et spiritus procellarum, pars calicis eorum.

Pitilessly his weapons rain down upon the offenders; burning coals, and brimstone, and scorching wind; such is the draught he brews for them.

He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone and storms of winds shall be the portion of their cup.

Quoniam justus Dominus, et justitias dilexit: æquitatem vidit vultus ejus.

The Lord is just, and just are the deeds he loves; none but upright souls shall enjoy his presence.

For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness.