Saturday Matins

God's people and the sheep of his pasture

Saturday Matins is easily the most unified of the whole week.  Its theme is God's providence, manifested in the history of the Jewish people.  It is given a full development under three leading concepts:
            I    God is faithful
            II   God is long-suffering
            III  God is our helper
These are the three ways in which God intervenes in our life:
1.  He cares for us like a father, true to his word―faithfulness.
2.  He does not let the ingratitude of our sins embitter him; despite the sins, he guides us to our goal and forgives us―mercy and long-suffering.
3.  He likes to be begged; our prayer of petition is a powerful instrument―attention to prayer.

These thoughts receive a graphic portrayal in Saturday Matins.  Over and over again we have to admit:  this is just what God has done for us.  During this week, during the course of my life, he has taken care of me (I).  Again and again I have thwarted his designs by my sins, and yet he has always been kind to me (II).  If I was in need, I called to him and he heard me.  He has even sent me trials so that I might be in need, but only to make me call upon him and feel more deeply my dependence on him (III).

The chosen people prefigured the Church of Christ.  As God cared for them, so also and much more does he care and provide for us today.  In seven appealing pictures the psalmist portrays the providence of God toward his people.  In each of the pictures we can see a foreshadowing of the same loving-kindness toward us.

Theme:  praise of God's works

Confitémini Dómino, et invocáte nomen ejus: * annuntiáte inter Gentes ópera ejus.
2  Cantáte ei, et psállite ei: * narráte ómnia mirabília ejus.
3  Laudámini in nómine sancto ejus: * lætétur cor quæréntium Dóminum.
4  Quærite Dóminum, et confírmámini: * quærite fáciem ejus semper.
5  Mementóte mirabílium ejus, quæ fecit: * prodígia ejus, et judícia oris ejus.
6  Semen Abraham, servi ejus: * fílii Jacob, elécti ejus.

O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his Name; * declare his deeds among the heathen.
2  Sing unto him, yea, sing him praises, * declare ye all his wondrous works.
3  Rejoice in his holy Name; * let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4  Seek the Lord and be strengthened; * seek his face evermore.
5  Remember the marvellous works that he hath done; * his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.
6  O ye seed of Abraham his servant; * ye children of Jacob his chosen.

Promise to the Patriarchs (Baptism)

7  Ipse Dóminus Deus noster: * in univérsa terra judícia ejus.
8  Memor fuit in sæculum testaménti sui: * verbi, quod mandávit in mille generatiónes:
9  Quod dispósuit ad Abraham: * et juraménti sui ad Isaac:
10  Et státuit illud Jacob in præcéptum: * et Israël in testaméntum ætérnum:
11  Dicens: Tibi dábo terram Chánaan, * funículum hereditátis vestræ.

7  He is the Lord our God; * his judgments are in all the world.
8  He hath been alway mindful of his covenant : * the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
9  Even the covenant that he made with Abraham; * and the oath that he sware unto Isaac;
10  And he appointed the same unto Jacob for a law, * and to Israel for an everlasting testament;
11  Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, * the lot of your inheritance:

Sojourn of the Patriarchs (Way of life)

12  Cum essent número brevi, * paucíssimi et íncolæ ejus:
13  Et pertransiérunt de gente in gentem, * et de regno ad pópulum álterum.
14  Non relíquit hóminem nocére eis: * et corrípuit pro eis reges.
15  Nolíte tángere christos meos: * et in prophétis meis nolíte malignári.

12  When there were yet but a few of them, * yea, very few, and they strangers in the land;
13  And they went from one nation to another, * from one kingdom to another people;
14  He suffered no man to do them wrong, * and reproved even kings for their sakes:
15  Touch ye not mine anointed, * and do my prophets no harm.

Psalm 104. ii.  Et vocavit

Joseph in Egypt  (The suffering Christ)

16  Et vocávit famem super terram: * et omne firmaméntum panis contrívit.
17  Misit ante eos virum: * in servum venúmdatus est Joseph.
18  Humiliavérunt in compédibus pedes ejus,  ferrum pertránsiit ánimam ejus * donec veníret verbum ejus.
19  Elóquium Dómini inflammávit eum: * misit rex, et solvit eum; princeps populórum, et dimísit eum.
20  Constítuit eum dóminum domus suæ: * et príncipem omnis possessiónis suæ:
21  Ut erudíret príncipes ejus sicut semetípsum: * et senes ejus prudéntiam docéret.

16  And he called for a dearth upon the land, * and destroyed all the provision of bread.
17  He sent a man before them, * even Joseph, who was sold to be a slave.
18  They humbled his feet in fetters, the iron entered into his soul; * until the coming of his word.
19  The word of the Lord inflamed him : * the king sent, and delivered him; the prince of the people, and he set him at liberty.
20  He made him master of his house, * and ruler of all his possession.
21  That he might instruct his princes as himself, * and teach his ancients wisdom.

Israel in Egypt  (The persecuted Church)

22  Et intrávit Israël in Ægyptum: * et Jacob áccola fuit in terra Cham.
23  Et auxit pópulum suum veheménter: * et firmávit eum super inimícos ejus.
24  Convértit cor eórum ut odírent pópulum ejus: * et dolum fácerent in servos ejus.
25  Misit Móysen, servum suum: * Aaron, quem elégit ipsum.
26  Pósuit in eis verba signórum suórum: * et prodigiórum in terra Cham.

22  And Israel came into Egypt, * and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
23  And he increased his people exceedingly, * and strengthened them over their enemies.
24  He turned their heart to hate his people, * and to deal untruly with his servants.
25  Then sent he Moses his servant, * and Aaron whom he had chosen.
26  He gave them power to shew his signs among them, * and his wonders in the land of Ham.

27  Misit ténebras, et obscurávit: * et non exacerbávit sermónes suos.
28  Convértit aquas eórum in sánguinem: * et occídit pisces eórum.
29  Edidit terra eórum ranas: * in penetrálibus regum ipsórum.
30  Dixit, et venit cœnomyía: * et cínifes in ómnibus fínibus eórum.
31  Pósuit plúvias eórum grándinem: * ignem comburéntem in terra ipsórum.
32  Et percússit víneas eórum, et ficúlneas eórum: * et contrívit lignum fínium eórum.
33  Dixit, et venit locústa, et bruchus, * cujus non erat númerus:
34  Et comédit omne fœnum in terra eórum: * et comédit omnem fructum terræ eórum.
35  Et percússit omne primogénitum in terra eórum: * primítias omnis labóris eórum.

27  He sent darkness, and it was dark; * and grieved not his word.
28  He turned their waters into blood, * and slew their fish.
29  Their land brought forth frogs; * yea, even in the inner chambers of their kings.
30  He spake the word, and there came all manner of flies, * and sciniphs in all their coasts.
31  He gave them hailstones for rain; * and flames of fire in their land.
32  And he smote their vineyards and their fig-trees; * and he destroyed the trees that were in their coasts.
33  He spake the word, and the locust came, * and caterpillars innumerable.
34  And they did eat up all the grass in their land : * and devoured all the fruit of their ground.
35  And he smote all the first-born in their land; * even the firstfruits of all their labour.

In the wilderness  (God's providence)

36  Et edúxit eos cum argénto et auro: * et non erat in tríbubus eórum infírmus.
37  Lætáta est Ægyptus in profectióne eórum: * quia incúbuit timor eórum super eos.
38  Expándit nubem in protectiónem eórum: * et ignem ut luceret eis per noctem.
39  Petiérunt, et venit cotúrnix: * et pane cæli saturávit eos.
40  Dirúpit petram et fluxérunt aquæ: * abiérunt in sicco flúmina;
41  Quóniam memor fuit verbi sancti sui: * quod hábuit ad Abraham, puerum suum.

36  And he brought them out with silver and gold; * and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
37  Egypt was glad at their departing; * for the fear of them lay upon them.
38  He spread out a cloud for their protection, * and fire to give them light in the night season.
39  They asked, and the quail came forth; * and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40  He opened the rock of stone, and the waters flowed out, * rivers ran in the dry places.
41  For he remembered his holy word; * which he had spoken to his servant Abraham.

In the promised land  (God's grace and glory)

42  Et edúxit pópulum suum in exsultatióne, * et eléctos suos in lætítia.
43  Et dedit illis regiónes Géntium: * et labóres populórum possedérunt:
44  Ut custódiant justificatiónes ejus, * et legem ejus requírant.

42  And he brought forth his people with joy, * and his chosen with gladness;
43  And gave them the lands of the heathen; * and they took the labours of the people in possession;
44  That they might keep his statutes, * and seek after his law.

This Psalm is an earnest song of penance and repentance.  In the repeated relapses of the Jewish people we are to recognize and lament our own sins and faults.  Together with them we read the verse (6) that forms the theme of the whole song for us:  "We have sinned with our fathers."

Praise God's mercy and power

Confitémini Dómino, quóniam bonus: * quóniam in sæculum misericórdia ejus.
2  Quis loquétur poténtias Dómini, * audítas fáciet omnes laudes ejus?
3  Beáti, qui custódiunt judícium, * et fáciunt justítiam in omni témpore.
4  Meménto nostri, Dómine, in beneplácito pópuli tui: * vísita nos in salutári tuo:
5  Ad vidéndum in bonitáte electórum tuórum, ad lætándum in lætítia gentis tuæ: * ut lauderis cum hereditáte tua.
6  Peccávimus cum pátribus nostris: * injúste égimus, iniquitátem fecimus.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is gracious, * for his mercy endureth for ever.
2  Who shall declare the powers of the Lord, * or shew forth all his praise?
3  Blessed are they that keep judgment, * and do justice at all times.
4  Remember us, O Lord, according to the favour that thou bearest unto thy people; * O visit us with thy salvation;
5  That we may see the good of thy chosen, and rejoice in the gladness of thy people, * that thou mayest be praised with thine inheritance.
6  We have sinned with our fathers; * we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.

1.  In the exodus

7  Patres nostri in Ægypto non intellexérunt mirabília tua: * non fuérunt mémores multitúdinis misericórdiæ tuæ.
8  Et irritavérunt ascendéntes in mare, * Mare Rubrum.
9  Et salvávit eos propter nomen suum: * ut notam fáceret poténtiam suam.
10  Et incrépuit Mare Rubrum, et exsiccátum est, * et dedúxit eos in abyssis sicut in desérto.
11  Et salvávit eos de manu odiéntium: * et redémit eos de manu inimíci.
12  Et opéruit aqua tribulántes eos: * unus ex eis non remánsit.
13  Et credidérunt verbis ejus: * et laudavérunt laudem ejus.

7  Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt, * neither kept they the multitude of thy mercies in remembrance.
8  And they provoked to wrath going up to the sea, * even to the Red Sea.
9  And he saved them for his Name's sake, * that he might make his power to be known.
10  He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; * and he led them through the deep, as through a wilderness.
11  And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them, * and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.
12  And the waters overwhelmed them that afflicted them : *  there was not one of them left.
13  Then believed they his words, * and sang praise unto him.

2.  In the wilderness
a)  Flesh-pots of Egypt

14  Cito fecérunt, oblíti sunt óperum ejus: * et non sustinuérunt consílium ejus.
15  Et concupiérunt concupiscéntiam in desérto: * et tentavérunt Deum in inaquóso.
16  Et dedit eis petitiónem ipsórum: * et misit saturitátem in ánimas eórum.

14  But within a while they forgat his works, * and would not abide his counsel.
15  And they coveted their desire in the wilderness, * and they tempted God in the desert.
16  And he gave them their desire, * and sent fulness withal into their soul.

Psalm 105. ii.  Et irritaverunt Moysen

b)  Disobedience to Moses

17  Et irritavérunt Móysen in castris: * Aaron, sanctum Dómini.
18  Apérta est terra, et deglutívit Dathan: * et opéruit super congregatiónem Abíron.
19  Et exársit ignis in synagóga eórum: * flamma combússit peccatóres.

17  They angered Moses also in the camp, * and Aaron the saint of the Lord.
18  The earth opened, and swallowed up Dathan, * and covered the congregation of Abiram.
19  And a fire was kindled in their company; * the flame burnt up the ungodly.

c)  The golden calf

20  Et fecérunt vítulum in Horeb: * et adoravérunt scúlptile.
21  Et mutavérunt glóriam suam * in similitúdinem vítuli comedéntis fœnum.
22  Oblíti sunt Deum, qui salvávit eos, * qui fecit magnália in Ægypto, mirabília in terra Cham: terribília in Mari Rubro.
23  Et dixit ut dispérderet eos: * si non Móyses, eléctus ejus, stetísset in confractióne in conspéctu ejus:
24  Ut avérteret iram ejus ne dispérderet eos: * et pro níhilo habuérunt terram desiderábilem:

20  They made a calf in Horeb, * and worshipped the graven image.
21  Thus they turned their glory * into the similitude of a calf that eateth grass.
22  And they forgat God their Saviour, * who had done so great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and fearful things by the Red Sea.
23  And he said that he would destroy them, * had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach:
24  To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them * and they set at nought the pleasant land

d)  The scouts

25  Non credidérunt verbo ejus, et murmuravérunt in tabernáculis suis: * non exaudiérunt vocem Dómini.
26  Et elevávit manum suam super eos: * ut prostérneret eos in desérto:
27  Et ut dejíceret semen eórum in natiónibus: * et dispérgeret eos in regiónibus.

25  They gave no credence unto his word, and murmured in their tents : * they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.
26  Then lift he up his hand against them, * to overthrow them in the wilderness;
27  And to cast out their seed among the nations, * and to scatter them in the lands.

e)  Idolatry

28  Et initiáti sunt Beélphegor: * et comedérunt sacrifícia mortuórum.
29  Et irritavérunt eum in adinventiónibus suis: * et multiplicáta est in eis ruína.
30  Et stetit Phinees, et placávit: * et cessávit quassátio.
31  Et reputátum est ei in justítiam: * in generatiónem et generatiónem usque in sempitérnum.

28  They joined themselves unto Beelphegor, * and ate the offerings of the dead.
29  And they provoked him to anger with their own inventions; * and destruction was great among them.
30  Then stood up Phinees, and prayed; * and so the slaughter ceased.
31  And that was counted unto him for righteousness, * among all posterities for evermore.

f)  The waters of strife

32  Et irritavérunt eum ad Aquas contradictiónis: * et vexátus est Móyses propter eos: quia exacerbavérunt spíritum ejus.
33  Et distínxit in lábiis suis: * non disperdidérunt Gentes, quas dixit Dóminus illis.

32  They angered him also at the waters of strife, * so that Moses was afflicted for their sakes; because they provoked his spirit.
33  And he distinguished with his lips : * they did not destroy the heathen, as the Lord commanded them.

3.  In the Holy Land

34  Et commísti sunt inter Gentes, et didicérunt ópera eórum: et serviérunt sculptílibus eórum: * et factum est illis in scándalum.
35  Et immolavérunt fílios suos, * et filias suas dæmoniis.
36  Et effudérunt sánguinem innocéntem: * sánguinem filiórum suórum et filiárum suárum, quas sacrificavérunt sculptílibus Chánaan.
37  Et infécta est terra in sanguínibus, et contamináta est in opéribus eórum: * et fornicáti sunt in adinventiónibus suis.
38  Et irátus est furóre Dóminus in pópulum suum: * et abominátus est hereditátem suam.
39  Et trádidit eos in manus Géntium: * et domináti sunt eórum qui odérunt eos.
40  Et tribulavérunt eos inimíci eórum, et humiliáti sunt sub mánibus eórum: * sæpe liberávit eos.
41  Ipsi autem exacerbavérunt eum in consílio suo: * et humiliáti sunt in iniquitátibus suis.
42  Et vidit, cum tribularéntur: * et audívit oratiónem eórum.
43  Et memor fuit testaménti sui: * et pœnítuit eum secúndum multitúdinem misericórdiæ suæ.
44  Et dedit eos in misericórdias * in conspéctu ómnium qui céperant eos.

34  But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works; and they served their idols : * and it became unto them a stumbling block.
35  And they offered their sons * and their daughters unto devils.
36  And they shed innocent blood, * even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they offered unto the idols of Canaan.
37  And the land was defiled with blood, and was polluted with their own works, * and went a whoring with their own inventions.
38  And the wrath of the Lord was kindled against his people, * and he abhorred his own inheritance.
39  And he gave them over into the hand of the heathen; * and they that hated them were lords over them.
40  And their enemies afflicted them, and they were had in subjection beneath their hands : * many a time did he deliver them.
41  But they provoked him with their counsel : * and they were brought down by their wickedness.
42  And he saw when they were in adversity, * and he heard their prayer.
43  And he was mindful of his covenant, * and repented, according unto the multitude of his mercies.
44  And he gave them unto mercies * in the sight of all those that had made them captive.

Plea for return from exile

45  Salvos nos fac, Dómine, Deus noster: * et cóngrega nos de natiónibus:
46  Ut confiteámur nómini sancto tuo: * et gloriémur in laude tua.

45  Save us, O Lord our God, * and gather us from among the nations.
46  That we may give thanks unto thy holy Name, * and may glory in thy praise.

Finale (end of Book 4 of Psalms)

47  Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, a sæculo et usque in sæculum: * et dicet omnis pópulus: Fiat, fiat.

47  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting, and world without end. * And let all the people say, Amen, Amen.

There are five strophes to this Psalm.  The first four are similar in construction:  they portray four tableaux or parables in which God is shewn coming to the rescue when his people are in danger.  The fifth strophe shews God's dealings with good and evil men.  The parables can be understood as referring either to mankind as a whole (Fall, Redemption) or to the private crises of the individual soul.

Thanksgiving for redemption

Confitémini Dómino quóniam bonus: * quóniam in sæculum misericórdia ejus.
2  Dicant qui redémpti sunt a Dómino, quos redémit de manu inimíci: * et de regiónibus congregávit eos:
3  A solis ortu, et occásu: * ab aquilóne, et mari.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, * for his mercy endureth for ever.
2  Let them declare whom the Lord hath redeemed, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy : * and gathered them out of the lands.
3  From the rising and from the setting of the sun : * from the north, and from the sea.

1.  Wandering in the wilderness
(Christ leads us through the wilderness of life)

4  Erravérunt in solitúdine in inaquóso: * viam civitátis habitáculi non invenérunt.
5  Esuriéntes, et sitiéntes: * ánima eórum in ipsis defécit.
6  Et clamavérunt ad Dóminum cum tribularéntur: * et de necessitátibus eórum erípuit eos.
7  Et dedúxit eos in viam rectam: * ut irent in civitátem habitatiónis.
8  Confiteántur Dómino misericórdiæ ejus: * et mirabília ejus fíliis hóminum.
9  Quia satiávit ánimam inánem: * et ánimam esuriéntem satiávit bonis.

4  They went astray in the wilderness, in the place without water, * they found not the way of a city for their dwelling.
5  They were hungry and thirsty, * their soul fainted in them.
6  And they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them from their distress.
7  He led them forth by the right way, * that they might go to the city where they dwelt.
8  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his mercies; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.
9  For he hath satisfied the empty soul, * and hath filled the hungry soul with goodness.

2.  Imprisonment
(Christ redeems us from the banishment of earthly life)

10  Sedéntes in ténebris, et umbra mortis: * vinctos in mendicitáte et ferro.
11  Quia exacerbavérunt elóquia Dei: * et consílium Altíssimi irritavérunt.
12  Et humiliátum est in labóribus cor eórum: * infirmáti sunt, nec fuit qui adjuváret.
13  Et clamavérunt ad Dóminum cum tribularéntur: * et de necessitátibus eórum liberávit eos.
14  Et edúxit eos de ténebris, et umbra mortis: * et víncula eórum disrúpit.

10  Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, * being fast bound in misery and iron;
11  For they rebelled against the words of the Lord, * and provoked the counsel of the Most Highest;
12  And their heart was brought down with labours: * they were weakened, and there was none to help them.
13  And they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them out of their distress.
14  And he brought them out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death, * and brake their bonds in sunder.

Psalm 106. ii.  Confiteantur Domino

3.  Sickness
(Christ heals diseases of the soul)

15  Confiteántur Dómino misericórdiæ ejus: * et mirabília ejus fíliis hóminum.
16  Quia contrívit portas æreas: * et vectes férreos confrégit.
17  Suscépit eos de via iniquitátis eórum: * propter injustítias enim suas humiliáti sunt.
18  Omnem escam abomináta est ánima eórum: * et appropinquavérunt usque ad portas mortis.
19  Et clamavérunt ad Dóminum cum tribularéntur: * et de necessitátibus eórum liberávit eos.
20  Misit verbum suum, et sanávit eos: * et erípuit eos de interitiónibus eórum.
21  Confiteántur Dómino misericórdiæ ejus: * et mirabília ejus fíliis hóminum.
22  Et sacríficent sacrifícium laudis: * et annúntient ópera ejus in exsultatióne.

15  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his mercies; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.
16  For he hath broken the gates of brass, * and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.
17  He took them out of the way of their wickedness : * they were brought low because of their injustice.
18  Their soul abhorred all manner of meat, * and they drew nigh even unto the gates of death.
19  And they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them out of their distress.
20  He sent his word, and healed them; * and saved them from their destruction.
21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his mercies; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.
22  And they shall offer unto him the sacrifice of praise, * and tell out his works with gladness.

4.  On the high seas
(Christ does not sleep during storms)

23  Qui descéndunt mare in návibus, * faciéntes operatiónem in aquis multis.
24  Ipsi vidérunt ópera Dómini, * et mirabília ejus in profúndo.
25  Dixit, et stetit spíritus procéllæ: * et exaltáti sunt fluctus ejus.
26  Ascéndunt usque ad cælos, et descéndunt usque ad abyssos: * ánima eórum in malis tabescébat.
27  Turbáti sunt, et moti sunt sicut ébrius: * et omnis sapiéntia eórum devoráta est.
28  Et clamavérunt ad Dóminum cum tribularéntur: * et de necessitátibus eórum edúxit eos.
29  Et státuit procéllam ejus in auram: * et siluérunt fluctus ejus.
30  Et lætáti sunt quia siluérunt: * et dedúxit eos in portum voluntátis eórum.

23  They that go down to the sea in ships, * and occupy their business in great waters;
24  These men have seen the works of the Lord, * and his wonders in the deep.
25  He said the word, and there arose a stormy wind, * and the waves thereof were lifted up.
26  They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep; * their soul melted away with evils.
27  They were troubled, and reeled like a drunken man, * and all their wisdom was swallowed up.
28  And they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * and he delivered them out of their distress.
29  And he turned the storm into a breeze, * so that the waves thereof were still.
30  Then were they glad, because they were at rest; * and so he brought them unto the haven where they would be.

5.  God's free dealings

31  Confiteántur Dómino misericórdiæ ejus: * et mirabília ejus fíliis hóminum.
32  Et exáltent eum in ecclésia plebis: * et in cáthedra seniórum laudent eum.
33  Pósuit flúmina in desértum: * et éxitus aquárum in sitim.
34  Terram fructíferam in salsúginem: * a malítia inhabitántium in ea.
35  Pósuit desértum in stagna aquárum: * et terram sine aqua in éxitus aquárum.
36  Et collocávit illic esuriéntes: * et constituérunt civitátem habitatiónis.
37  Et seminavérunt agros, et plantavérunt víneas: * et fecérunt fructum nativitátis.
38  Et benedíxit eis, et multiplicáti sunt nimis: * et juménta eórum non minorávit.
39  Et pauci facti sunt: * et vexáti sunt a tribulatióne malórum, et dolóre.
40  Effúsa est contémptio super príncipes: * et erráre fecit eos in ínvio, et non in via.
41  Et adjúvit páuperem de inópia: * et pósuit sicut oves famílias.

31  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his mercies; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.
32  And let them exalt him in the congregation of the people, * and praise him in the seat of the ancients.
33  He hath turned the rivers into a wilderness, * and the water springs into dry land.
34  A fruitful land made he barren, * for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35  He hath turned the wilderness into pools of water, * and a dry land into water springs.
36  And there he setteth the hungry, * and they builded them a city to dwell in.
37  And they sowed the fields, and planted vineyards, * and they yielded fruits of increase.
38  And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly; * and he suffered not their cattle to decrease.
39  Then were they minished : * and they were afflicted through the tribulation of evils and sorrow.
40  Contempt was poured forth upon their princes : * and he caused them to wander out of the way in the wilderness.
41  And he helped the poor out of misery, * and made him households like a flock of sheep.

Finale

42  Vidébunt recti, et lætabúntur: * et omnis iníquitas oppilábit os suum.
43  Quis sápiens et custódiet hæc? * et intélliget misericórdias Domini.

42  The righteous shall behold, and rejoice; * and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43  Whoso is wise, and will keep these things? * and he shall understand the mercies of the Lord.