PRO MILITIA

PSALMVS CXVIII (Beth) — IN QVO CORRIGIT

Psalm 118 (Beth) — How a Young Man Corrects His Way

The Beth section of Psalm 118 (119 in modern numbering), verses 9-16, directly addresses how a young man corrects his way: 'By observing Thy words.' The key verse 'Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee' makes this section the ideal scriptural meditation for those seeking purity. Psalm 118 is the longest psalm, an alphabetical acrostic on God's law.

LATINE
In quo corrigit adolescentior viam suam?
In custodiendo sermones tuos.
In toto corde meo exquisivi te:
ne repellas me a mandatis tuis.
In corde meo abscondi eloquia tua,
ut non peccem tibi.
Benedictus es, Domine:
doce me iustificationes tuas.
In labiis meis pronunciavi
omnia iudicia oris tui.
In via testimoniorum tuorum delectatus sum,
sicut in omnibus divitiis.
In mandatis tuis exercebor:
et considerabo vias tuas.
In iustificationibus tuis meditabor:
non obliviscar sermones tuos.
ENGLISH
By what doth a young man correct his way?
By observing Thy words.
With my whole heart have I sought after Thee:
let me not stray from Thy commandments.
Thy words have I hidden in my heart,
that I may not sin against Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord:
teach me Thy justifications.
With my lips I have pronounced
all the judgments of Thy mouth.
I have been delighted in the way of Thy testimonies,
as in all riches.
I will meditate on Thy commandments:
and I will consider Thy ways.
I will think of Thy justifications:
I will not forget Thy words.
NOTA
FONS
Psalmus 118:9-16, Vulgata / Douay-Rheims
USUS
Meditation on purity, spiritual warfare against temptation
CONTEXT
Psalm 118 is an acrostic psalm; each section of 8 verses begins with a Hebrew letter. The Beth section (verses 9-16) specifically addresses youth and moral correction.