PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS CXLIX — CANTATE DOMINO

Sing Ye to the Lord a New Canticle

Cantate Domino canticum novum is a hymn of eschatological triumph, calling the saints to praise with timbrel and harp while wielding two-edged swords. The militant imagery of binding kings and executing judgment makes this a psalm of spiritual warfare. In the 1962 Breviary it appears at Lauds. The 'new song' anticipates the heavenly liturgy of the Apocalypse.

LATINE
Cantate Domino canticum novum: laus eius in ecclesia sanctorum.
Laetetur Israel in eo, qui fecit eum: et filii Sion exsultent in rege suo.
Laudent nomen eius in choro: in tympano et psalterio psallant ei.
Quia beneplacitum est Domino in populo suo: et exaltabit mansuetos in salutem.
Exsultabunt sancti in gloria: laetabuntur in cubilibus suis.
Exaltationes Dei in gutture eorum: et gladii ancipites in manibus eorum.
Ad faciendam vindictam in nationibus: increpationes in populis.
Ad alligandos reges eorum in compedibus: et nobiles eorum in manicis ferreis.
Ut faciant in eis iudicium conscriptum: gloria haec est omnibus sanctis eius. Alleluia.
ENGLISH
Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.
Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.
For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.
The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth: and two-edged swords in their hands:
To execute vengeance upon the nations, chastisements among the people:
To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron.
To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Lauds, Church Militant
CONTEXT
The 'two-edged sword' (gladius anceps) is applied to the Word of God (Heb 4:12). The spiritual combat tradition draws heavily on this psalm.