PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS XXVI — DOMINVS ILLVMINATIO

The Lord Is My Light

Dominus illuminatio mea is a psalm of confidence before battle, expressing both martial courage and deep longing to dwell in God's house. The opening verse became the motto of Oxford University. In the 1962 Breviary it appears at Sunday Vespers and Wednesday Matins.

LATINE
Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea, quem timebo?
Dominus protector vitae meae, a quo trepidabo?
Dum appropiant super me nocentes, ut edant carnes meas.
Qui tribulant me inimici mei, ipsi infirmati sunt et ceciderunt.
Si consistant adversum me castra, non timebit cor meum.
Si exsurgat adversum me praelium, in hoc ego sperabo.
ENGLISH
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh.
My enemies that trouble me, have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.
If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear.
If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Sunday Vespers, Before Battle
CONTEXT
Psalm 27 in Hebrew numbering. 'Dominus illuminatio mea' is the motto of Oxford University.