A gradual canticle.

Canticum graduum.

(A song of ascents.)

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

Ad Dominum cum tribularer clamavi, et exaudivit me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sagittæ potentis acutæ, cum carbonibus desolatoriis.

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

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

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

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

my soul hath been long a sojourner.

multum incola fuit anima mea.

Long banished here among the enemies of peace,

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

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

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