De Profundis clamavi ad te, Domine

Psalm CXXIX. De Profundis. Psalm of the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Italic Text taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
(obtainable from Carmel Books, Blackford House, Andover Road, Highclere, Newbury, Berkshire, England RG20 9PF. Tel: (01635 255340)).

Non-Italic Text taken from The Catholic Encyclopedia at
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04738b.htm

Illustrations from Wikipedia -the free encyclopedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, 

Folio 70r - De Profundis, the Musée Condé, Chantilly.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Out of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord ! 

      Lord, hear my voice.

Let Thine ears be attentive 
      To the voice of my supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark iniquities,

      Lord, who shall endureth ?

For with the Lord there is merciful forgiveness,

      And by reason of Thy law I have waited upon Thee, O Lord.

My Soul doth rely on His word:

      My Soul doth hope in the Lord.

From the morning watch, even unto night,

      Let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy,

      And with Him plentiful redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel,

      From all his iniquities.

   V.   Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
   R.   And let perpetual light shine upon them.

  

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine:

      Domine, exaudi vocem meam.

Fiant aures tuae intendentes:

      In vocem deprecationis meae.

Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine:

      Domine, quis sustinebit ?

Quia apud te propitiatio est:

      Et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.

Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus:

      Speravit anima mea in Domino.

A custodia matutina usque ad noctem:

      Speret Israel in Domino.

Quia apud Dominum misericordia:

      Et copiosa apud eum redemptio.

Et ipse redimet Israel,

      Ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.

   V.   Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

   R.   Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

De Profundis

("Out of the depths"). First words of Psalm 129. The author of this Psalm is unknown; it was composed probably during the Babylonian Exile, or perhaps for the day of penance prescribed by Esdras (Ezra 9:5-10).

The hard school of suffering, during the Exile, had brought the people to the confession of their guilt, and had kindled in their hearts faith and hope of the Redeemer and confidence in the mercy of God. 

The De Profundis is one of the fifteen Gradual Psalms, which were sung by the Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, and which are still contained in the Roman Breviary. It is also one of the seven Penitential Psalms, which, in the East and the West, were already used as such by the early Christians. 

In the Divine Office, the De Profundis is sung every Wednesday at Vespers, and also at the Second Vespers of Christmas; the words "Apud Dominum misericordia et copiosa apud eum redemptio" reminding us of the mercy of the Father, Who sent His Son for the redemption of mankind. 

It is also used in the ferial prayers of Lauds and in the Office of the Dead at Vespers. 

The Church recites this Psalm principally in her prayers for the dead; it is the Psalm of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, the words of the Psalmist applying well to the longing and sighing of the Souls exiled from Heaven. 

It is recited at funerals by the Priest, before the corpse is taken out of the house to the Church.

THIS ENDS THE ARTICLE ON THE DE PROFUNDIS