PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS L — MISERERE

Have Mercy on Me, O God

The Miserere is the greatest of the Seven Penitential Psalms, traditionally ascribed to David after Nathan's rebuke for his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 12). It is recited daily at Lauds throughout the year in the 1962 Breviary, making it the most frequently prayed psalm in the Divine Office. St. Augustine wrote that this psalm should be prayed with tears.

LATINE
Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Ne proiicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me.
ENGLISH
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Daily Lauds, Lent, Confession preparation, Burial rite
CONTEXT
Psalm 51 in Hebrew numbering. First of the Seven Penitential Psalms. Allegri's famous Miserere setting.