In finem, pro torcularibus filiis Core. Psalmus.

Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core.

(To the choir-master. Melody: The Winepresses. Of the sons of Core. A psalm.)

Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine virtutum!

How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

Lord of hosts, how I love thy dwelling-place!

Concupiscit, et deficit anima mea in atria Domini; cor meum et caro mea exsultaverunt in Deum vivum.

my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.

For the courts of the Lord’s house, my soul faints with longing. The living God! at his name my heart, my whole being thrills with joy.

Etenim passer invenit sibi domum, et turtur nidum sibi, ubi ponat pullos suos: altaria tua, Domine virtutum, rex meus, et Deus meus.

For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones: Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.

Where else should the sparrow find a home, the swallow a nest for her brood, but at thy altar, Lord of hosts, my king and my God?

Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine; in sæcula sæculorum laudabunt te.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

How blessed, Lord, are those who dwell in thy house! They will be ever praising thee.

Beatus vir cujus est auxilium abs te: ascensiones in corde suo disposuit,

Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,

How blessed is the man who finds his strength in thee! Where there are hearts set on pilgrimage,

in valle lacrimarum, in loco quem posuit.

in the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.

the parched ravine turns into a water-course at their coming, new-clad by the bounty of returning rain.

Etenim benedictionem dabit legislator; ibunt de virtute in virtutem: videbitur Deus deorum in Sion.

For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.

So, at each stage refreshed, they will reach Sion, and have sight there of the God who is above all gods.

Domine Deus virtutum, exaudi orationem meam; auribus percipe, Deus Jacob.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.

Lord of hosts, listen to my prayer; God of Israel, grant me audience!

Protector noster, aspice, Deus, et respice in faciem christi tui.

Behold, O God our protector: and look on the face of thy Christ.

God, ever our protector, do not disregard us now; look favourably upon him whom thou hast anointed!

Quia melior est dies una in atriis tuis super millia; elegi abjectus esse in domo Dei mei magis quam habitare in tabernaculis peccatorum.

For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

Willingly would I give a thousand of my days for one spent in thy courts! Willingly reach but the threshold of my God’s house, so I might dwell no more in the abode of sinners!

Quia misericordiam et veritatem diligit Deus: gratiam et gloriam dabit Dominus.

For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.

Sun to enlighten, shield to protect us, the Lord God has favour, has honour to bestow.

Non privabit bonis eos qui ambulant in innocentia: Domine virtutum, beatus homo qui sperat in te.

He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

To innocent lives he will never refuse his bounty; Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who puts his confidence in thee.