In Exitu Israel
Psalm 113
Psalm 113 - In Exitu Israel
1. In exitu Israel de Aegypto, * domus Iacob de populo barbaro.
2. Facta est Iudaea sanctificatio eius, * Israel potestas eius.
3. Mare vidit et fugit: * Iordanis conversus est retrorsum.
4. Montes exultaverunt ut arietes: * et colles sicut agni ovium.
5. Quid est tibi mare quod fugisti? * et tu Iordanis quia conversus es retrorsum?
6. Montes exultastis sicut arietes* et colles sicut agni ovium.
7. A facie Domini mota est terra, * a facie Dei Iacob.
8. Qui convertit petram in stagna aquarum, * et rupem in fontes aquarum.
9. Non nobis Domine non nobis: * sed nomini tuo da gloriam.
10. Super misericordia tua et veritate tua: * nequando dicant gentes: Ubi est Deus eorum?
11. Deus autem noster in caelo: * omnia quaecumque voluit fecit.
12. Simulacra gentium argentum et aurum, * opera manuum hominum.
13. Os habent et non loquentur: * oculos habent et non videbunt.
14. Aures habent et non audient: * nares habent et non odorabunt.
15. Manus habent et non palpabunt + pedes habent et non ambulabunt: * non clamabunt in gutture suo.
16. Similes illis fiant qui faciunt ea: * et omnes qui confidunt in eis.
17. Domus Israel speravit in Domino: * adiutor eorum et protector eorum est.
18. Domus Aaron speravit in Domino: * adiutor eorum et protector eorum est.
19. Qui timent Dominum speraverunt in Domino: * adiutor eorum et protector eorum est.
20. Dominus memor fuit nostri: * et benedixit nobis.
21. Benedixit domui Israel: * benedixit domui Aaron.
22. Benedixit omnibus qui timent Dominum, * pusillis cum maioribus.
23. Adiciat Dominus super vos: * super vos, et super filios vestros.
24. Benedicti vos a Domino, * qui fecit caelum et terram.
25. Caelum caeli Domino: * terram autem dedit filiis hominum.
26. Non mortui laudabunt te Domine: * neque omnes qui descendunt in infernum.
27. Sed nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino, * ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
28. Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto.
29. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula sęculorum. Amen.
Click here for an English translation.
This Psalm exalts the One True God and His dominion over the whole earth, including the sundry pagan idols and gods (who are in fact devils) -- whose power is always limited by the will of God.
It begins by recounting the miracles God worked for the Israelites during their flight from Egypt. The folly of idolatry is discussed, as well as the wisdom of putting one's trust in the Lord. How foolish is a man who would place his hopes in statues of wood or stone, or even in man himself. None of these things can deliver him in his time of need. Only the Lord is all-powerful, and merciful to those who call upon Him.
The central thought in this Psalm is expressed in verse 11: "But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would." This is actually the Antiphon for regular Sunday Vespers. The Antiphon, as you may know, is a thought to meditate on as one recites the Divine Office, usually a summary of what the Psalm is considering. Just as one can meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary OR on the words of the Hail Mary itself, likewise the priest or monk can choose to meditate on either the Antiphon, or the actual words of the Psalm he is reciting.
This is found on the following CD(s):
Chant Compendium 3, and
Chant Compendium 4.
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