PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS LXIX — DEVS IN ADIVTORIVM

O God, Come to My Assistance

Deus, in adjutorium meum intende is the shortest of the psalms, yet the most frequently recited in the 1962 Breviary. This verse opens every canonical Hour and has been called the 'golden key' of the Divine Office. Cassian recommends this as a prayer for all circumstances.

LATINE
Deus, in adiutorium meum intende: Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina.
Confundantur et revereantur, qui quaerunt animam meam.
Avertantur retrorsum, et erubescant, qui volunt mihi mala.
Avertantur statim erubescentes, qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge.
Exsultent et laetentur in te omnes qui quaerunt te; et dicant semper: Magnificetur Dominus: qui diligunt salutare tuum.
Ego vero egenus, et pauper sum: Deus, adiuva me.
Adiutor meus, et liberator meus es tu: Domine, ne moreris.
ENGLISH
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me.
Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek my soul:
Let them be turned backward, and blush for shame that desire evils to me:
Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame that say to me: 'Tis well, 'tis well.
Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
But I am needy and poor; O God, help me.
Thou art my helper and my deliverer: O Lord, make no delay.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Opening of all Hours, Emergency prayer
CONTEXT
Psalm 70 in Hebrew numbering. V. 2 'Deus in adiutorium' opens every canonical hour. St. John Cassian recommends it as a constant prayer formula.