Psa 119 | CPDV | STEP | A Canticle in steps. When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.

Psalms 119

Ad Dominum.

A prayer in tribulation. ^{▼▼119:0 A gradual canticle: The following psalms, in number fifteen, are called gradual psalms, or canticles, from the word gradus, signifying steps, ascensions, or degrees: either because they were appointed to be sung on the fifteen steps, by which the people ascended to the temple: or, that in the singing of them the voice was to be raised by certain steps or ascensions: or, that they were to be sung by the people returning from their captivity and ascending to Jerusalem, which was seated amongst mountains. The holy fathers, in a mystical sense, understand these steps, or ascensions, of the degrees by which Christians spiritually ascend to virtue and perfection; and to the true temple of God in the heavenly Jerusalem.(Challoner)}

1 A Canticle in steps.

When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.
2 O Lord, free my soul from lips of iniquity and from the deceitful tongue.
3 What will be given to you, or what will be added to you, for a deceitful tongue?:
4 the sharp arrows of the powerful, along with the burning coals of desolation. ^{▼▼119:4In other words, there will be nothing left but burning embers.(Conte)}
5 Woe to me, for my sojourning has been prolonged.
I have lived with the inhabitants of Kedar.
6 My soul has long been a sojourner.
7 With those who hated peace, I was peaceful.
When I spoke to them, they fought against me without cause.