In finem. Psalmus David.

The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

Cæli enarrant gloriam Dei, et opera manuum ejus annuntiat firmamentum.

See how the skies proclaim God’s glory, how the vault of heaven betrays his craftsmanship!

Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.

Dies diei eructat verbum, et nox nocti indicat scientiam.

Each day echoes its secret to the next, each night passes on to the next its revelation of knowledge;

There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

Non sunt loquelæ, neque sermones, quorum non audiantur voces eorum.

no word, no accent of theirs that does not make itself heard,

Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.

In omnem terram exivit sonus eorum, et in fines orbis terræ verba eorum.

till their utterance fills every land, till their message reaches the ends of the world.

He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his bride chamber, Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way:

In sole posuit tabernaculum suum; et ipse tamquam sponsus procedens de thalamo suo. Exsultavit ut gigas ad currendam viam;

In these, he has made a pavilion for the sun, which comes out as a bridegroom comes from his bed, and exults like some great runner who sees the track before him.

His going out is from the end of heaven, And his circuit even to the end thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.

a summo cælo egressio ejus. Et occursus ejus usque ad summum ejus; nec est qui se abscondat a calore ejus.

Here, at one end of heaven, is its starting-place, and its course reaches to the other; none can escape its burning heat.

The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

Lex Domini immaculata, convertens animas; testimonium Domini fidele, sapientiam præstans parvulis.

The Lord’s perfect law, how it brings the soul back to life; the Lord’s unchallengeable decrees, how they make the simple learned!

The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

Justitiæ Domini rectæ, lætificantes corda; præceptum Domini lucidum, illuminans oculos.

How plain are the duties which the Lord enjoins, the treasure of man’s heart; how clear is the commandment the Lord gives, the enlightenment of man’s eyes!

The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

Timor Domini sanctus, permanens in sæculum sæculi; judicia Domini vera, justificata in semetipsa,

How sacred a thing is the fear of the Lord, which is binding for ever; how unerring are the awards which the Lord makes, one and all giving proof of their justice!

More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

desiderabilia super aurum et lapidem pretiosum multum, et dulciora super mel et favum.

All these are more precious than gold, than a hoard of pure gold, sweeter than the honey, dripping from its comb.

For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.

Etenim servus tuus custodit ea; in custodiendis illis retributio multa.

By these I, thy servant, live, observing them how jealously!

Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord:

Delicta quis intelligit? ab occultis meis munda me;

And yet, who knows his own frailties? If I have sinned unwittingly, do thou absolve me.

and from those of others spare thy servant. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.

et ab alienis parce servo tuo. Si mei non fuerint dominati, tunc immaculatus ero, et emundabor a delicto maximo.

Keep me ever thy own servant, far from pride; so long as this does not lord it over me, I will yet be without fault, I will yet be innocent of the great sin.

And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight. O Lord, my helper, and my redeemer.

Et erunt ut complaceant eloquia oris mei, et meditatio cordis mei in conspectu tuo semper. Domine, adjutor meus, et redemptor meus.

Every word on my lips, every thought in my heart, what thou wouldst have it be, O Lord, my defender, my redeemer!