PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS LIV — EXAVDI DEVS

Hear, O God, My Prayer

Exaudi Deus orationem meam is a lament psalm of particular poignancy because the psalmist is betrayed not by an enemy but by a trusted friend. The Fathers apply verses 13-15 to Judas's betrayal of Christ. In the 1962 Breviary it appears at Tuesday Matins. The image of fleeing to the wilderness expresses the soul's need for solitude with God.

LATINE
Exaudi, Deus, orationem meam, et ne despexeris deprecationem meam: intende mihi, et exaudi me.
Contristatus sum in exercitatione mea: et conturbatus sum a voce inimici, et a tribulatione peccatoris.
Quoniam declinaverunt in me iniquitates: et in ira molesti erant mihi.
Cor meum conturbatum est in me: et formido mortis cecidit super me.
Timor et tremor venerunt super me: et contexerunt me tenebrae.
Et dixi: Quis dabit mihi pennas sicut columbae, et volabo, et requiescam?
Ecce elongavi fugiens: et mansi in solitudine.
Exspectabam eum, qui salvum me fecit a pusillanimitate spiritus et tempestate.
Iacta super Dominum curam tuam, et ipse te enutriet: non dabit in aeternum fluctuationem iusto.
ENGLISH
Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication: be attentive to me and hear me.
I am grieved in my exercise; and am troubled at the voice of the enemy, and at the tribulation of the sinner.
For they have cast iniquities upon me: and in wrath they were troublesome to me.
My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me.
And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?
Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness.
I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm.
Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Holy Week, Betrayal, Anxiety
CONTEXT
Psalm 55 in Hebrew numbering. V. 23 'Cast thy care upon the Lord' is quoted by St. Peter (1 Pet 5:7). The betraying friend (vv. 13-15) is applied to Judas.