Life without God and life with God

This Psalm is composed of two poems set in opposition to each other.  The first one portrays the wicked confirmed in their evildoing; the second depicts God as the fountain of life.  It is on account of the second part that the Psalm has been chosen for Lauds―it is a very fine reference to the holy Eucharist.  In the Eucharist Christ is, in the fullest and deepest sense, "the fountain of life," the source of sanctifying grace.  It is a very fervent song.

The godless

Dixit injústus ut delínquat in semetípso: * non est timor Dei ante óculos ejus.
2  Quóniam dolóse egit in conspéctu ejus: * ut inveniátur iníquitas ejus ad ódium.
3  Verba oris ejus iníquitas, et dolus: * nóluit intellígere ut bene ágeret.
4  Iniquitátem meditátus est in cubíli suo: * ástitit omni viæ non bonæ, malítiam autem non odívit.

The ungodly hath said within himself that he would sin, * there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2  For he hath done deceitfully in his own sight, * that his wickedness be found out unto hatred.
3  The words of his mouth are unrighteous and full of deceit: * he would not understand that he might do good.
4  He imagineth mischief upon his bed, * and hath set himself in no good way, neither doth he abhor any thing that is evil.

God's grace towards all

5  Dómine, in cælo misericórdia tua: * et véritas tua usque ad nubes.
6  Justítia tua sicut montes Dei: * judícia tua abyssus multa.
7  Hómines, et juménta salvábis, Dómine: * quemádmodum multiplicásti misericórdiam tuam, Deus,
8  Fílii autem hóminum, * in tégmine alárum tuárum sperábunt.
9  Inebriabúntur ab ubertáte domus tuæ: * et torrénte voluptátis tuæ potábis eos.
10  Quóniam apud te est fons vitæ: * et in lúmine tuo vidébimus lumen.

5  Thy mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the heavens, * and thy faithfulness unto the clouds.
6  Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains: * thy judgments are like the great deep.
7  Thou, Lord, shalt save both man and beast : * how excellent is thy mercy, O God.
8  And the children of men * shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
9  They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house; * and thou shalt give them drink of the torrent of thy pleasure.
10  For with thee is the fountain of life; * and in thy light shall we see light.

Plea for perseverance

11  Præténde misericórdiam tuam sciéntibus te, * et justítiam tuam his, qui recto sunt corde.
12  Non véniat mihi pes supérbiæ: * et manus peccatóris non móveat me.
13  Ibi cecidérunt qui operántur iniquitátem: * expúlsi sunt, nec potuérunt stare.

11  O extend thy mercy unto them that know thee, * and thy righteousness unto them that are true of heart.
12  O let not the foot of pride come against me; * and let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down.
13  There are they fallen, all that work wickedness; * they are cast out, and are not able to stand.