Canticum graduum.

A gradual canticle.

(A song of ascents.)

Ad Dominum cum tribularer clamavi, et exaudivit me.

In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.

Not unheeded I cry to the Lord in the hour of my distress.

Domine, libera animam meam a labiis iniquis et a lingua dolosa.

O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue.

Lord, have pity and deliver me from the treacherous lips, the perjured tongue.

Quid detur tibi, aut quid apponatur tibi ad linguam dolosam?

What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue?

Perjurer, he will give thee all thy deserts and more;

Sagittæ potentis acutæ, cum carbonibus desolatoriis.

The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.

sharp arrows from a warrior’s bow, blazing faggots of broom.

Heu mihi, quia incolatus meus prolongatus est! habitavi cum habitantibus Cedar;

Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Cedar:

Unhappy I, that live an exile in Mosoch, or dwell among the tents of Cedar!

multum incola fuit anima mea.

my soul hath been long a sojourner.

Long banished here among the enemies of peace,

Cum his qui oderunt pacem eram pacificus; cum loquebar illis, impugnabant me gratis.

With them that hated peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause.

for peace I plead, and their cry is still for battle.