Penitential Psalm

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beginning of Psalm 143 (142) with a depiction of King David, who, looking at the command panels, implores God's grace ( Book of Hours of the Duke of Berry )

The penitential psalms (Latin Psalmi Poenitentiales ) are a series of psalms that have the confession of guilt as their theme. In the Book of Psalms, with the exception of 102 and 130, they are all ascribed to King David as an exemplary penitent in Christian tradition .

These are the following psalms, the titles of which are given both in Latin and according to the 2017 Luther translation:

  • Psalm 6 NIV : Domine, ne in furore. Penitential prayer in contention.
  • Psalm 32 LUT : Beati quorum remissae . The joy of repentance.
  • Psalm 38 KJV : Domine, ne in furore . In heavy hauntedness.
  • Psalm 51 KJV : Miserere mei, Deus . God, have mercy on me sinner!
  • Ps 102 LUT : Domine, exaudi . Request for the restoration of Zion.
  • Psalm 130 LUT : De profundis . Out of deep need.
  • Psalm 143 LUT : Domine, exaudi . Ask for relief and help.

In the Vulgate count , these are Psalms 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129 and 142.

The composition of the group goes back to Augustine of Hippo .

The penitential psalms have a special place in the Hours of Lent and Holy Week and are often set to music. The best known was the version by Orlando di Lasso : Psalmi Davidis poenitentiales from 1584. There are several settings for Psalm 51, Miserere , among others by Gregorio Allegri and Josquin des Prez . The settings of Psalm 130, De profundis , are also classics of church music. In baroque music , the text of the psalm forms the basis of the cantata “ From the depths I call, Lord, to you ” by Johann Sebastian Bach .