The Seven Penitential Psalms

Psalm 6 O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation, nor chastise me in Thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is troubled exceedingly: but Thou, O Lord, how long? Turn Thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for Thy mercy's sake. For in death, there is no one that remembereth Thee: and who shall give Thee thanks in hell? I have labored in my groanings: every night I will wash my bed, and water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all mine enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed, and sore vexed: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 6 Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me. Miserere mei, Domine, quoniam infirmus sum; sana me, Domine, quoniam conturbata sunt ossa mea. Et anima mea turbata est valde, sed tu, Domine, usquequo? Convertere, Domine, et eripe animam meam; salvum me fac propter misericordiam tuam. Quoniam non est in morte, qui memor sit tui, in inferno autem quis confitebitur tibi? Laboravi in gemitu meo, lavabo per singulas noctes lectum meum; lacrimis meis stratum meum rigabo. Turbatus est a furore oculus meus, inveteravi inter omnes inimicos meos. Discedite a me omnes, qui operamini iniquitatem, quoniam exaudivit Dominus vocem fletus mei. Exaudivit Dominus deprecationem meam, Dominus orationem meam suscepit. Erubescant et conturbentur vehementer omnes inimici mei; convertantur et erubescant valde velociter. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Psalm 31 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Because I was silent my bones grew old; while I cried aloud all the day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, while the thorn was fastened in me. I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. For this shall every one that is holy pray unto Thee in a seasonable time. But in the flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath surrounded me: my joy, deliver me from them that compass me about. I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in the way wherein thou shalt go: I will fix Mine eyes upon thee. Be ye not like unto horse and mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast the jaws of those who come not nigh unto Thee. Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall compass him that hopeth in the Lord. Be glad, O ye just, and rejoice in the Lord; and glory all ye that are right of heart. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 31 Beatus, cui remissa est iniquitas et obtectum est peccatum. Beatus vir, cui non imputavit Dominus delictum, nec est in spiritu eius dolus. Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa mea, dum rugirem tota die. Quoniam die ac nocte gravata est super me manus tua, immutatus est vigor meus in ardoribus aestatis. Peccatum meum cognitum tibi feci et delictum meum non abscondi. Dixi: Confitebor adversum me iniquitatem meam Domino. Et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei. Propter hoc orabit ad te omnis sanctus in tempore opportuno. Et in diluvio aquarum multarum ad eum non approximabunt. Tu es refugium meum, a tribulatione conservabis me; exsultationibus salutis circumdabis me. Intellectum tibi dabo et instruam te in via, qua gradieris; firmabo super te oculos meos. Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus, quibus non est intellectus; In camo et freno si accedis ad constringendum, non approximant ad te. Multi dolores impii, sperantem autem in Domino misericordia circumdabit. Laetamini in Domino et exsultate, iusti, et gloriamini, omnes recti corde. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Psalm 37 O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine indignation; nor chastise me in Thy wrath. For Thine arrows stick fast in me: and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me. There is no health in my flesh, because of Thy wrath: there is no rest in my bones, because of my sins. For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden, press sorely upon me. My wounds have putrified and are corrupt: because of my foolishness. I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I go sorrowfully all the day long. For my loins are filled with illusions: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I have roared for the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee, and my groaning is not hidden from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me: the light of mine eyes is gone from me. My friends and my neighbors drew near, and stood up against me. They that were once nigh me stood afar off: and they that sought after my soul did violence against me. And they that sought to do me evil talked vanities: and imagined deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as one that is dumb openeth not his mouth. I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth. For in Thee, O Lord, have I hoped: Thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God. For I said, Let not mine enemies at any time triumph over me: and when my feet slip, they have spoken great things against me. For I am prepared for scourges: and my sorrow is always before me. For I will confess mine iniquity: and will think upon my sin. But my enemies live, and are strengthened against me: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They that render evil for good, spake against me, because I followed goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord my God: go not Thou far from me. Haste Thee to my help, O Lord, God of my salvation. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 37 Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me: neque in ira tua corripias me. Quoniam sagittae tuae infixae sunt mihi: et confirmasti super me manum tuam. Non est sanitas in carne mea a facie irae tuae: non est pax ossibus meis a facie peccatorum meorum. Quoniam iniquitates meae supergressae sunt caput meum: et sicut onus grave gravatae sunt super me. Putruerunt, et corruptae sunt cicatrices meae: a facie insipientiae meae. Miser factus sum, et curvatus sum usque in finem: tota die contristatus ingrediebar. Quoniam lumbi mei impleti sunt illusionibus: et non est sanitas in carne mea. Afflictus sum, et humiliatus sum nimis: rugiebam a gemitu cordis mei. Domine ante te omne desiderium meum: et gemitus meus a te non est absconditus. Cor meum conturbatum est, dereliquit me virtus mea: et lumen oculorum meorum, et ipsum non est mecum. Amici mei, et proximi mei: adversum me appropinquaverunt, et steterunt. Et qui iuxta me erant, de longe steterunt: et vim faciebant, qui quaerebant animam meam. Et qui inquirebant mala mihi, locuti sunt vanitates: et dolos tota die meditabantur. Ego autem tamquam surdus non audiebam: et sicut mutus non aperiens os suum. Et factus sum sicut homo non audiens: et non habens in ore suo redargutiones. Quoniam in te Domine speravi: tu exaudies Domine Deus meus. Quia dixi, ne quando supergaudeant mihi inimici mei: et dum commoventur pedes mei, super me magna locuti sunt. Quoniam ego in flagella paratus sum: et dolor meus in conspectu meo semper. Quoniam iniquitatem meam annunciabo: et cogitabo pro peccato meo. Inimici autem mei vivunt, et confirmati sunt super me: et multiplicati sunt, qui oderunt me inique. Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis, detrahebant mihi: quoniam sequebar bonitatem. Non derelinquas me Domine Deus meus: ne discesseris a me. Intende in adiutorium meum: Domine Deus salutis meae. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Psalm 50 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies: blot out my iniquity. Wash me more yet from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil in Thy sight: that Thou mayst be justified in Thy words, and mayst overcome when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities: and in sins did my mother conceive me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou hast made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: and the bones that were humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bosom. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust Thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. Thou wilt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would surely have given it: with burnt offerings Thou wilt not be delighted. The sacrifice of God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humble heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Deal favourably, O Lord, in Thy good-will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations, and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon Thine altars. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 50 Miserere mei Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum: dele iniquitatem meam. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me. Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper. Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum iudicaris. Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea. Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi. Asperges me Domine hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor. Auditui meo dabis gaudium, et laetitiam: et exultabunt ossa humiliata. Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele. Cor mundum crea in me Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis. Ne proicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me. Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me. Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur. Libera me de sanguinibus Deus, Deus salutis meae: et exultabit lingua mea iustitiam tuam. Domine labia mea aperies: et os meum annunciabit laudem tuam. Quoniam si voluisses, sacrificium dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis. Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum Deus non despicies. Benigne fac Domine in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Hierusalem. Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc inponent super altare tuum vitulos. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Psalm 101 O Lord, hear my prayer: and let my cry come to Thee. Turn not away Thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline Thine ear unto me. In what day soever I shall call upon Thee, oh, hearken unto me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are dried up like fuel for the fire. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: for I have forgotten to eat my bread. Through the voice of my groaning, my bones have cleaved to my flesh. I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night-raven in the house. I have watched, and am become like a sparrow that sitteth alone on the housetop. Mine enemies reviled me all the day long: and they that praised me have sworn together against me. For I did eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. Because of Thine indignation and wrath: for Thou hast lifted me up and cast me down. My days are gone down like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. But Thou, O Lord, endurest forever: and Thy memorial to all generations. Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Sion: for it is time Thou have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come. For Thy servants delighted in her stones: and they shall have compassion on the earth thereof. The Gentiles shall fear Thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in His glory. He hath had regard to the prayer of the lowly: and hath not despised their petition. Let these things be written for another generation: and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. For He hath looked down from His high holy place: from heaven hath the Lord looked upon the earth. That He might hear the groaning of them that are in fetters: that He might deliver the children of the slain. That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and His praise in Jerusalem. When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord. He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days. Call me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are unto generation and generation. In the beginning, O Lord, Thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish but Thou endurest: and they all shall grow old as a garment. And as a vesture Thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. The children of Thy servants shall continue: and their seed be directed forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 101 Domine exaudi orationem meam: et clamor meus ad te veniat. Non avertas faciem tuam a me: in quacumque die tribulor, inclina ad me aurem tuam. In quacumque die invocavero te: velociter exaudi me. Quia defecerunt sicut fumus, dies mei: et ossa mea sicut gremium aruerunt. Percussus sum, ut faenum, et aruit cor meum: quia oblitus sum comedere panem meum. A voce gemitus mei: adhaesit os meum carni meae. Similis factus sum pelicano solitudinis: factus sum sicut nycticorax in domicilio. Vigilavi: et factus sum sicut passer solitarius in tecto. Tota die exprobrabant mihi inimici mei: et qui laudabant me, adversum me iurabant. Quia cinerem tamquam panem manducabam: et potum meum cum fletu miscebam. A facie irae et indignationis tuae: quia elevans allisisti me. Dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt: et ego sicut faenum arui. Tu autem Domine in aeternum permanes: et memoriale tuum in generatione, et generationem. Tu exsurgens Domine misereberis Sion: quia tempus miserendi eius, quia venit tempus. Quoniam placuerunt servis tuis lapides eius: et terrae eius miserebuntur. Et timebunt gentes nomen tuum Domine: et omnes reges terrae gloriam tuam. Quia aedificavit Dominus Sion: et videbitur in gloria sua. Respexit in orationem humilium: et non sprevit precem eorum. Scribantur haec in generatione altera: et populus qui creabitur, laudabit Dominum. Quia prospexit de excelso sancto suo: Dominus de caelo in terram aspexit. Ut audiret gemitus conpeditorum: ut solveret filios interemptorum. Ut annuncient in Sion nomen Domini: et laudem eius in Hierusalem. In conveniendo populos in unum: et reges ut serviant Domino. Respondit ei in via virtutis suae: paucitatem dierum meorum nuncia mihi. Ne revoces me in dimidio dierum meorum: in generatione, et generationem anni tui. Initio tu Domine terram fundasti: et opera manuum tuarum sunt caeli. Ipsi peribunt, tu autem permanes: et omnes sicut vestimentum veterescent. Et sicut opertorium mutabis eos, et mutabuntur: tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non deficient. Filii servorum tuorum habitabunt: et semen eorum in saeculum dirigetur. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Psalm 129 Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall abide it. For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and because of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath waited on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 129 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: propter legem tuam sustinui te Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo eius: 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 eius. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Psalm 142 Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplication in Thy truth: hearken unto me for Thy justice' sake. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight no man living shall be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life unto the ground. He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. And my spirit is vexed within me: my heart within me is troubled. I remembered the days of old, I meditated all Thy works: I have mused upon the works of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee: my soul gaspeth unto Thee; as a land where no water is. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Make me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I hoped. Make me to know the way wherein I should walk: for to Thee have I lifted up my soul. Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord, unto Thee have I fled. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, Thou shalt quicken me in Thy justice. Thou shalt bring my soul out of trouble. And in Thy mercy Thou shalt destroy mine enemies. Thou shalt destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am Thy servant. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.	Psalm 142 Domine exaudi orationem meam, auribus percipe obsecrationem meam: in veritate tua, exaudi me in tua iustitia. Et non intres in iudicium cum servo tuo: quia non iustificabitur in conspectu tuo omnis vivens. Quia persecutus est inimicus animam meam: humiliavit in terra vitam meam. Collocavit me in obscuris sicut mortuos saeculi: et anxiatus est super me spiritus meus, in me turbatum est cor meum. Memor fui dierum antiquorum, meditatus sum in omnibus operibus tuis: et in factis manuum tuarum meditabar. Expandi manus meas ad te: anima mea sicut terra sine aqua tibi. Velociter exaudi me Domine: defecit spiritus meus. Non avertas faciem tuam a me: et similis ero descendentibus in lacum. Auditam fac mihi mane misericordiam tuam: quia in te speravi. Notam fac mihi viam, in qua ambulem: quia ad te levavi animam meam. Eripe me de inimicis meis, Domine, ad te confugi: doce me facere voluntatem tuam, quia Deus meus es tu. Spiritus tuus bonus deducet me in terram rectam: propter nomen tuum Domine vivificabis me in aequitate tua. Educes de tribulatione animam meam: et in misericordia tua disperdes inimicos meos. Et perdes omnes, qui tribulant animam meam: quoniam ego servus tuus sum. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Music: Peccantem me quotidie by Carlo Gesualdo

I who sin every day
and am not penitent
the fear of death troubles me:

Responsum
For in hell there is no redemption.
Have mercy upon me, O God, and save me.

Versus
God, in your name save me,
and in your virtue set me free.

Variant 1

I tremble at my misdeeds and blush before you:
when you come to judge, condemn me not:
have mercy upon me, O God, and save me.