Showing posts with label CCC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CCC. Show all posts

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Psalm 94 v10-11

The concluding verses of Psalm 94 deals with the consequences of rejecting God.

10
VL
Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : semper hi errant corde  
V
quadraginta annis offensus fui generationi illi, et dixi : semper hi errant corde.
NV
Quadraginta annis taeduit me generationis illius et dixi: Populus errantium corde sunt isti.
JH
Quadraginta annis displicuit milii generatio illa, et dixi, Populus errans corde est,

τεσσαράκοντα τη προσώχθισα τ γενε κείν κα επα ε πλαννται τ καρδί κα ατο οκ γνωσαν τς δούς μου

Text notes: The ‘proximus’ of the Old Roman here does, on the face of it, appear to be a mistranslation of the Greek.  Though perhaps not – after all, during the forty years God did indeed keep this generation near, guiding them with the smoke and pillar of flame, despite their sins.

Quadragínta annis= Forty years
próximus fui generatióni huic= I kept this generation near
et dixi= and I said
semper hi errant == always these stray
corde= in the heart

quadraginta, num. adj., forty.
annus, i, m year
proximus, a, um,  very near, close at hand;  neighbour
generatio, onis, a begetting, generating, generation  
semper, adv., ever, always, at all times.
hic, haec, hoc,  this
erro, avi, atum, are, to wander, stray, rove,
cor, cordis, n., the heart, regarded as the seat of the faculties, feelings, emotions, passions; the mind, the soul.

DR
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart.
NETS
For forty years I loathed that generation and said always do they stray in heart
Cover
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts

The Catechism offers this explication of the importance of forty:

CCC 539: The evangelists indicate the salvific meaning of this mysterious event: Jesus is the new Adam who remained faithful just where the first Adam had given in to temptation. Jesus fulfils Israel's vocation perfectly: in contrast to those who had once provoked God during forty years in the desert, Christ reveals himself as God's Servant, totally obedient to the divine will. In this, Jesus is the devil's conqueror: he "binds the strong man" to take back his plunder. Jesus' victory over the tempter in the desert anticipates victory at the Passion, the supreme act of obedience of his filial love for the Father.

11
VL
Ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : si introíbunt in réquiem meam.
V
et isti non cognoverunt vias meas : ut juravi in ira mea : si introibunt in requiem meam.
NV
Et ipsi non cognoverunt vias meas; ideo iuravi in ira mea: Non introibunt in requiem meam ”.
JH
et non cognoscens uias meas : et iuraui in furore meo, ut non introirent in requiem meam.

ς μοσα ν τ ργ μου ε εσελεύσονται ες τν κατάπαυσίν μου

Text notes: The si phrase is the form of an oath – if so and so, then…, in this case, they shall not enter into my rest, viz the Promised Land (see Numbers 14:26ff), or as the author of Hebrews makes clear, heaven.

Ipsi vero non cognovérunt=they themselves have not truly known
vias meas= my ways
quibus jurávi = so I swore
in ira mea= in my anger
si introíbunt in réquiem meam= if they will enter into my rest, ie, they will not enter into my rest

verus, a, um, true
cognosco, gnovi, gnitum, ere 3, to know, see, learn, perceive, be come acquainted with.
via, ae, a way, road, path, street. God's way, God's policy, way of life
juro, avi, atum, are, to swear, take an oath
ira, ae, f, anger, wrath
introeo, ivi or ii, itum, ire, to go into, to enter.
requies, ei, /.,  rest;  a resting-place.

DR
And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Cover
for they have not known my ways, unto whom I swore in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

St Augustine draws out the import of this warning here:

We began with exulting joy: but this Psalm has ended with great fear: Unto whom I swore in My wrath, that they should not enter into My rest Psalm 94:11. It is a great thing for God to speak: how much greater for Him to swear? You should fear a man when he swears, lest he do somewhat on account of his oath against his will: how much more should you fear God, when He swears, seeing He can swear nought rashly? He chose the act of swearing for a confirmation. And by whom does God swear? By Himself: for He has no greater by whom to swear. Hebrews 6:13 By Himself He confirms His promises: by Himself He confirms His threats. Let no man say in his heart, His promise is true; His threat is false: as His promise is true, so is His threat sure. You ought to be equally assured of rest, of happiness, of eternity, of immortality, if you have executed His commandments; as of destruction, of the burning of eternal fire, of damnation with the devil, if you have despised His commandments....

Psalm 94: Venite Exultemus Domino
Vulgate
Psalter (Vetus latina)
Douay-Rheims
Laus cantici ipsi David.

Praise of a canticle for David himself.
1 Venite, exsultemus Domino; jubilemus Deo salutari nostro;
1. Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro:
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.
2 præoccupemus faciem ejus in confessione, et in psalmis jubilemus ei
præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
3 quoniam Deus magnus Dominus, et rex magnus super omnes deos.
2. Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 Quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitudines montium ipsius sunt;
: quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.
4 For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.

5 quoniam ipsius est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et siccam manus ejus formaverunt
3. Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus
5 For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6  Venite, adoremus, et procidamus, et ploremus ante Dominum qui fecit nos:
Veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos,
6 Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
7  quia ipse est Dominus Deus noster, et nos populus pascuæ ejus, et oves manus ejus.
quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.
7 For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
8 Hodie si vocem ejus audieritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra
4. Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra,
8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
9 sicut in irritatione, secundum diem tentationis in deserto, ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri : probaverunt me, et viderunt opera mea.
sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.
9 As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
10 Quadraginta annis offensus fui generationi illi, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde.
5. Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ;
10 Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart.
11 Et isti non cognoverunt vias meas : ut juravi in ira mea : Si introibunt in requiem meam.
ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.
11 And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Psalm 94 verses 8-9

Verse 8 of Psalm 94 demands that we not put off repentance, but rather respond now.

It is extremely important to Benedictines due to its citation by St Benedict in his Rule.  The verses remind us of the urgency of conversion, lest we too find ourselves, like those companions of Moses, unable to enter the promised land, and condemned instead to wander the desert eternally.

8
VL/V
Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra
NV
Utinam hodie vocem eius audiatis: “ Nolite obdurare corda vestra,
JH
Hodie, si uocem eius audieritis, nolite indurare corda uestra,

μ σκληρύνητε τς καρδίας μν ς ν τ παραπικρασμ κατ τν μέραν το πειρασμο ν τ ρήμ

Text notes:  The speaking voice shifts again here to a prophetic tone.

Hódie=today
si vocem ejus audiéritis=if you shall hear his voice
nolíte obduráre be unwilling to harden
corda vestra=your hearts

hodie, adv.  today
vox, vocis, the voice of a person, or, the sound of an instrument, thunder. 
audio, ivi or li, Itum, ire to hear; to hear gladly; sound forth, utter, announce;  hear favorably, to grant,
nolo, nolui, nolle  to be unwilling, not to wish, to refuse It is generally found in the imperative followed by the infinitive of another verb.
.
DR
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
Cover
Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts

Hebrews provides an extended commentary on these verses, pointing out that there are consequences to God’s providential care for us: we are part of a covenantal relationship which means we too have obligations towards God, most importantly not to reject him through sin and unbelief.  Instead, we are called not only to adore God, but to obey his commandments and do good works.  

St Benedict uses this passage to call us to the more intense spiritual life he proposes in his Rule:

Let us arise, then, at last,  for the Scripture stirs us up, saying, "Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom. 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the deifying light,  let us hear with attentive ears  the warning which the divine voice cries daily to us, "Today if you hear His voice,  harden not your hearts" (Ps. 94[95]:8).  And again, "Whoever has ears to hear,  hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Matt. 11-15; Apoc. 2:7).

9
VL
Sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.
V
sicut in irritatione, secundum diem tentationis in deserto, ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri : probaverunt me, et viderunt opera mea.
NV
sicut in Meriba, secundum diem Massa in deserto, ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri:
probaverunt me, etsi viderunt opera mea.
JH
sicut in contradictione, sicut in die temtationis in deserto: ubi temtauerunt me patres uestri, probauerunt me, et uiderunt opus meum.

ο πείρασαν ο πατέρες μν δοκίμασαν κα εδοσαν τ ργα μου

Text notes: Britt notes that the MT has: (Harden not your hearts) as at Meribah ( = quarrel, strife), as in the day of Massah ( = temptation) in the wilderness. The Greek translators and St. Jerome took these words for common nouns. He notes that they both designate one and the same place in the desert of Pharan, where the Hebrews, suffering for want of water, murmured against God, Cf. Exod. 17,1-7; Num. 20,1-13.

Sicut in exacerbatione=as in the provocation
secundum diem tentationis=according to the day of temptation
in deserto=in the wilderness.
ubi tentavérunt me=where they tried me
 patres vestry=your fathers
probavérunt= and they tested
et vidérunt ópera mea= and saw my works

sicut, adv., as, just as, like.
exacerbatio, onis, rebellion, disobedience,  an exasperation; in particular the stirring of Divine anger by the Jews in the desert, the provocation.
secundus, a, um following in time or order; the next, the second.
dies, ei, m& f. a day
tentatio, onis, a trial, temptation; an attack.
desertum, i, n., a desert, wilderness.
tento, avi, atum, are, to tempt
pater, tris, m. a father; mostly pi. in the sense of forefathers, ancestors
probo, avi, atum, are to try, to test, prove, examine; to search, prove
video, vidi, vlsum, ere 2,  to see, behold; consider; experience, undergo, suffer, realize; keep watch, look for, meditate on
opus, eris, n., work.

DR
As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
RSV
as at Mer'ibah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers tested me,
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
Cover
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness, when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

This verse points to one of the most grievous sins against God, namely putting oneself in a situation and demanding that God rescue us from it.  The Catechism cites this psalm in support of its analysis of the sin:

“Tempting God consists in putting his goodness and almighty power to the test by word or deed. Thus Satan tried to induce Jesus to throw himself down from the Temple and, by this gesture, force God to act. Jesus opposed Satan with the word of God: "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test." The challenge contained in such tempting of God wounds the respect and trust we owe our Creator and Lord. It always harbors doubt about his love, his providence, and his power.” (CCC2219)

The devil of course tempted Our Lord in this way, daring him to throw himself off the heights in order to be rescued by the angels.

Psalm 94: Venite Exultemus Domino
Vulgate
Psalter (Vetus latina)
Douay-Rheims
Laus cantici ipsi David.

Praise of a canticle for David himself.
1 Venite, exsultemus Domino; jubilemus Deo salutari nostro;
1. Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro:
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.
2 præoccupemus faciem ejus in confessione, et in psalmis jubilemus ei
præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
3 quoniam Deus magnus Dominus, et rex magnus super omnes deos.
2. Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 Quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitudines montium ipsius sunt;
: quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.
4 For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.

5 quoniam ipsius est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et siccam manus ejus formaverunt
3. Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus
5 For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6  Venite, adoremus, et procidamus, et ploremus ante Dominum qui fecit nos:
Veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos,
6 Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
7  quia ipse est Dominus Deus noster, et nos populus pascuæ ejus, et oves manus ejus.
quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.
7 For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
8 Hodie si vocem ejus audieritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra
4. Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra,
8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
9 sicut in irritatione, secundum diem tentationis in deserto, ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri : probaverunt me, et viderunt opera mea.
sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.
9 As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
10 Quadraginta annis offensus fui generationi illi, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde.
5. Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ;
10 Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart.
11 Et isti non cognoverunt vias meas : ut juravi in ira mea : Si introibunt in requiem meam.
ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.
11 And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.

And you can find the final part in this series on Psalm 94 here.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Psalm 94 v1-2


The opening verses of Psalm 94 are a joyful call to worship, and to sing psalms.  In the Office, the first two verses are said together before the antiphon of the day is repeated.

NB: The notes on the notes post contains a list of all abbreviations and sets out the main sources used to compile these notes.

1
Vetus Latin/
VULGATE/Neo-Vulgate
Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro
JH (Jerome from the Hebrew)
Uenite, laudemus Dominum: iubilemus petrae lesu nostro.
Septuagint
γαλλιασώμεθα τ κυρί λαλάξωμεν τ θε τ σωτρι μν

Many commentators view this is a processional or pilgrimage hymn, with the first five verses being the words of the community chanting a hymn to the might and glory of God.

Veníte (come) exsultémus (let us give praise) Dómino (to the Lord) jubilémus (let us sing/shout joyfully) Deo (to God) salutári (savour) nostro (our)

venio, veni, ventum, ireto come.
exsulto, avi, atum, are  to spring, leap, or jump up; to exult, to rejoice exceedingly
jubilo, avi, atum, are  to rejoice, exult, to sing or shout joyfully
salutaris, e  a Savior, Helper, used of God;  help, saving help, rescue, salvation,

DR
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.
Brenton
Come, let us exult in the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to God our Saviour.
RSV
O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Cover
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.

As the Catechism points out, adoration is our first duty towards God:  


“Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory" respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.” (CCC 2628)

Our joy comes from our knowledge of what God has done for us, and the promise of salvation he offers to us and gives assurance to our supplications.

2
VL/V/NV
Præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.
JH
Praeoccupemus uultum eius in actione gratiarum,  in canticis iubilemus ei.
Sept
προφθάσωμεν τ πρόσωπον ατο ν ξομολογήσει κα ν ψαλμος λαλάξωμεν ατ

St Augustine notes that ‘confessione’ can have two meanings: “There is a confession of him who praises, there is that of him who groans. The confession of praise pertains to the honour of Him who is praised: the confession of groaning to the repentance of him who confesses.”   Though the word may include this subtext, the parallelism with the second half of the verse suggests that the more positive meaning is the most important in this context.

praeoccupemus  (let us come early/without delay/eagerly) faciem ejus ( [before] his face/presence) in confessione (with/in thanksgiving /acknowledgment) et in psalmis (and with psalms) jubilémus ei (let us sing joyfully to him)

praeoccupo, avi, atum, are,  seize unexpectedly, take by surprise;  come before early or with eagerness,  prevent, anticipate
facies, ei, face, countenance, appearance;  presence
confessio, onis, Prayer, praise, thanksgiving
psalmus, i, m. a sacred song to be sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument, a psalm

DR
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
Brenton
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
Cover
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Bellarmine comments:

"This verse may be understood in two ways — one making the Prophet summon us to rise early in the morning to praise God, as if he said: Before others rise let us be first before God and in such spirit does the Church put this Psalm in the begin­ning of matins. The second explanation makes the Prophet tell us to unite an avowal of our own misery with God's mercy making us come before him by acknowledging our sins, previ­ous to his sitting in judgment on them, and punishing us for them; "and make a joyful noise with psalms," in praising the great mercy so extended to us."

Psalm 94: Venite Exultemus Domino
Vulgate
Psalter (Vetus latina)
Douay-Rheims
Laus cantici ipsi David.

Praise of a canticle for David himself.
1 Venite, exsultemus Domino; jubilemus Deo salutari nostro;
1. Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro:
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.
2 præoccupemus faciem ejus in confessione, et in psalmis jubilemus ei
præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.
2 Let us come before his presence   with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
3 quoniam Deus magnus Dominus, et rex magnus super omnes deos.
2. Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 Quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitudines montium ipsius sunt;
: quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.
4 For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.

5 quoniam ipsius est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et siccam manus ejus formaverunt
3. Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus
5 For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6  Venite, adoremus, et procidamus, et ploremus ante Dominum qui fecit nos:
Veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum :plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos,
6 Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
7  quia ipse est Dominus Deus noster, et nos populus pascuæ ejus, et oves manus ejus.
quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.
7 For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
8 Hodie si vocem ejus audieritis, nolite obdurare corda vestra
4. Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra,
8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
9 sicut in irritatione, secundum diem tentationis in deserto, ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri : probaverunt me, et viderunt opera mea.
sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.
9 As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
10 Quadraginta annis offensus fui generationi illi, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde.
5. Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ;
10 Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart.
11 Et isti non cognoverunt vias meas : ut juravi in ira mea : Si introibunt in requiem meam.
ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.
11 And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.

You can find the next set of notes in this series here.