Antiphona ad Magnificat

From Psalm 90:11-12, this antiphon records God's promise: 'Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te, ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis' (God hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways). The phrase 'in manibus portabunt te' (in their hands they shall bear thee up) describes angelic support so intimate that the protected soul is carried like a child. The purpose clause 'ne unquam offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum' (lest thou dash thy foot against a stone) indicates protection from stumbling in both physical and spiritual senses. Satan quoted this verse to tempt Christ (Matthew 4:6), misapplying it to presumption; the Church restores it to proper trust in providence.