Book of Psalms

The psalms are called by the Hebrews TEHILLIM, that is, Hymns of Praise. The author, of a great part of them at least, was king David: but many are of opinion that some of them were made by Asaph, and others whose names are prefixed in the titles. (For more information, see the article PSALMS in the Catholic Encyclopedia.)

Psalm 1. Beatus vir. The happiness of the just and the evil state of the wicked.
Psalm 2. Quare fremuerunt. The vain efforts of persecutors against Christ and his church.
Psalm 3. Domine, quid multiplicati. The prophet's danger and delivery from his son Absalom: mystically, the passion and resurrection of Christ.
Psalm 4. Cum invocarem. The prophet teacheth us to flee to God in tribulation, with confidence in him.
Psalm 5. Verba mea auribul. A prayer to God against the iniquities of men.
Psalm 6. Domine, ne in furore. A prayer of a penitent sinner, under the scourge of God. The first penitential psalm.
Psalm 7. Domine, Deus meus. David, trusting in the justice of his cause, prayeth for God's help against his enemies.
Psalm 8. Domine, Dominus noster. God is wonderful in his works; especially in mankind, singularly exalted by the incarnation of Christ.
Psalm 9. Confitebor tibi, Domine. The church praiseth God for his protection against her enemies.
Psalm 10. In Domino confido. The just man's confidence in God in the midst of persecutions.
Psalm 11. Salvum me fac. The prophet calls for God's help against the wicked.
Psalm 12. Usquequo, Domine. A prayer in tribulation.
Psalm 13. Dixit insipiens. 1. The general corruption of man before our redemption by Christ.
Psalm 14. Domine, quis habitabit. What kind of men shall dwell in the heavenly Sion.
Psalm 15. Conserva me, Domine. Christ's future victory and triumph over the world and death.
Psalm 16. Exaudi, Domine, justitiam. A just man's prayer in tribulation against the malice of his enemy.
Psalm 17. Diligam te, Domine. David's thanks to God for his delivery from all his enemies.
Psalm 18. Coeli enarrant. The works of God show forth his glory: his law is greatly to be esteemed and loved.
Psalm 19. Exaudiat te Dominus. A prayer for the king.
Psalm 20. Domine, in virtute. Praise to God for Christ's exaltation after his passion.
Psalm 21. Deus Deus meus. Christ's passion: and the conversion of the Gentiles.
Psalm 22. Dominus regit me. God's spiritual benefits to faithful souls.
Psalm 23. Domini est terra. Who are they that shall ascend to heaven: Christ's triumphant ascension thither.
Psalm 24. Ad te, Domine, levavi. A prayer for grace, mercy, and protection against our enemies.
Psalm 25. Judica me, Domine. David's prayer to God in his distress, to be delivered, that he may come to worship him in his tabernacle.
Psalm 26. Dominus illuminatio. David's faith and hope in God.
Psalm 27. Ad te, Domine, clamabo. David's prayer that his enemies may not prevail over him.
Psalm 28. Afferte Domino. An invitation to glorify God, with a commemoration of his mighty works.
Psalm 29. Exaltabo te, Domine. David praiseth God for his deliverance, and his merciful dealings with him.
Psalm 30. In te, Domine, speravi. A prayer of a just man under affliction.
Psalm 31. Beati quorum. The second penitential psalm.
Psalm 32. Exultate, justi. An exhortation to praise God, and to trust in him.
Psalm 33. Benedicam Dominum. An exhortation to the praise, and service of God.
Psalm 34. Judica, Domine, nocentes me. David, in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors: prophetically foreshowing the punishments that shall fall upon them.
Psalm 35. Dixit injustus. The malice of sinners, and the goodness of God.
Psalm 36. Noli aemulari. An exhortation to despise this world; and the short prosperity of the wicked; and to trust in Providence.
Psalm 37. Domine, ne in furore. A prayer of a penitent for the remission of his sins. The third penitential psalm.
Psalm 38. Dixi custodiam. A just man's peace and patience in his sufferings; considering the vanity of the world, and the providence of God.
Psalm 39. Expectans expectavi. Christ's coming, and redeeming mankind.
Psalm 40. Beatus qui intelligit. The happiness of him that shall believe in Christ; notwithstanding the humility and poverty in which he shall come: the malice of his enemies, especially of the traitor Judas.
Psalm 41. Quemadmodum desiderat. The fervent desire of the just after God: hope in afflictions.
Psalm 42. Judica me, Deus. The prophet aspireth after the temple and altar of God.
Psalm 43. Deus auribus nostris. The church commemorates former favours, and present afflictions; under which she prays for succour.
Psalm 44. Eructavit cor meum. The excellence of Christ's kingdom, and the endowments of his church.
Psalm 45. Deus noster refugium. The church in persecution trusteth in the protection of God.
Psalm 46. Omnes gentes, plaudite. The Gentiles are invited to praise God for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ.
Psalm 47. Magnus Dominus. God is greatly to be praised for the establishment of his church.
Psalm 48. Audite haec, omnes gentes. The folly of worldlings, who live on in sin, without thinking of death or hell.
Psalm 49. Deus deorum. The coming of Christ: who prefers virtue and inward purity before the blood of victims.
Psalm 50. Miserere. The repentance and confession of David after his sin. The fourth penitential psalm.
Psalm 51. Quid gloriaris. David condemneth the wickedness of Doeg, and foretelleth his destruction.
Psalm 52. Dixit insipiens. The general corruption of man before the coming of Christ.
Psalm 53. Deus, in nomine tuo. A prayer for help in destress.
Psalm 54. Exaudi, Deus. A prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas.
Psalm 55. Miserere mei, Deus. A prayer of David in danger and distress.
Psalm 56. Miserere mei, Deus. The prophet prays in his affliction, and praises God for his delivery.
Psalm 57. Si vere utique. David reproveth the wicked, and foretelleth their punishment.
Psalm 58. Eripe me. A prayer to be delivered from the wicked, with confidence in God's help and protection. It agrees to Christ and his enemies the Jews.
Psalm 59. Deus, repulisti nos. After many afflictions, the church of Christ shall prevail.
Psalm 60. Exaudi, Deus. A prayer for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, which shall have no end.
Psalm 61. Nonne Deo. The prophet encourageth himself and all others to trust in God, and serve him.
Psalm 62. Deus Deus meus, ad te. The prophet aspireth after God.
Psalm 63. Exaudi Deus orationem. A prayer in affliction, with confidence in God that he will bring to nought the machinations of persecutors.
Psalm 64. Te decet. God is to be praised in his church, to which all nations shall be called.
Psalm 65. Jubilate Deo. An invitation to praise God.
Psalm 66. Deus misereatur. A prayer for the propagation of the church.
Psalm 67. Exurgat Deus. The glorious establishment of the church of the New Testament, prefigured by the benefits bestowed on the people of Israel.
Psalm 68. Salvum me fac, Deus. Christ in his passion declareth the greatness of his sufferings, and the malice of his persecutors the Jews; and foretelleth their reprobation.
Psalm 69. Deus in adjutorium. A prayer in persecution.
Psalm 70. In te, Domine. A prayer for perseverance.
Psalm 71. Deus, judicium tuum. A prophecy of the coming of Christ, and of his kingdom: prefigured by Solomon and his happy reign.
Psalm 72. Quam bonus Israel Deus. The temptation of the weak, upon seeing the prosperity of the wicked, is overcome by the consideration of the justice of God, who will quickly render to every one according to his works.
Psalm 73. Ut quid, Deus. A prayer of the church under grievous persecutions.
Psalm 74. Confitebimur tibi. There is a just judgment to come: therefore let the wicked take care.
Psalm 75. Notus in Judaea. God is known in his church: and exerts his power in protecting it. It alludes to the slaughter of the Assyrians, in the days of king Ezechias.
Psalm 76. Voce mea. The faithful have recourse to God in trouble of mind, with confidence in his mercy and power.
Psalm 77. Attendite. God's great benefits to the people of Israel, notwithstanding their ingratitude.
Psalm 78. Deus, venerunt gentes. The church in time of persecution prayeth for relief. It seems to belong to the time of the Machabees.
Psalm 79. Qui regis Israel. A prayer for the church in tribulation, commemorating God's former favours.
Psalm 80. Exultate Deo. An invitation to a solemn praising of God.
Psalm 81. Deus stetit. An exhortation to judges and men in power.
Psalm 82. Deus, quis similis. A prayer against the enemies of God's church.
Psalm 83. Quam dilecta. The soul aspireth after heaven; rejoicing in the mean time, in being in the communion of God's church upon earth.
Psalm 84. Benedixisti, Domine. The coming of Christ, to bring peace and salvation to man.
Psalm 85. Inclina, Domine. A prayer for God's grace to assist us to the end.
Psalm 86. Fundamenta ejus. The glory of the church of Christ.
Psalm 87. Domine, Deus salutis. A prayer of one under grievous affliction: it agrees to Christ in his passion, and alludes to his death and burial.
Psalm 88. Misericordias Domini. The perpetuity of the church of Christ, in consequence of the promise of God: which, notwithstanding, God permits her to suffer sometimes most grievous afflictions.
Psalm 89. Domine, refugium. A prayer for the mercy of God: recounting the shortness and miseries of the days of man.
Psalm 90. Qui habitat. The just is secure under the protection of God.
Psalm 91. Bonum est confiteri. God is to be praised for his wondrous works.
Psalm 92. Dominus regnavit. The glory and stability of the kingdom; that is, of the church of Christ.
Psalm 93. Deus ultionum. God shall judge and punish the oppressors of his people.
Psalm 94. Venite exultemus. An invitation to adore and serve God, and to hear his voice.
Psalm 95. Cantate Domino. An exhortation to praise God for the coming of Christ and his kingdom.
Psalm 96. Dominus regnavit. All are invited to rejoice at the glorious coming and reign of Christ.
Psalm 97. Cantate Domino. All are again invited to praise the Lord, for the victories of Christ.
Psalm 98. Dominus regnavit. The reign of the Lord in Sion: that is, of Christ in his church.
Psalm 99. Jubilate Deo. All are invited to rejoice in God the creator of all.
Psalm 100. Misericordiam et judicium. The prophet exhorteth all by his example, to follow mercy and justice.
Psalm 101. Domine, exaudi. A prayer for one in affliction: the fifth penitential psalm.
Psalm 102. Benedic, anima. Thanksgiving to God for his mercies.
Psalm 103. Benedic, anima. God is to be praised for his mighty works, and wonderful providence.
Psalm 104. Confitemini Domino. A thanksgiving to God for his benefits to his people Israel.
Psalm 105. Confitemini Domino. A confession of the manifold sins and ingratitudes of the Israelites.
Psalm 106. Confitemini Domino. All are invited to give thanks to God for his perpetual providence over men.
Psalm 107. Paratum cor meum. The prophet praiseth God for benefits received.
Psalm 108. Deus, laudem meam. David in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors; more especially the traitor Judas: foretelling and approving his just punishment for his obstinacy in sin and final impenitence.
Psalm 109. Dixit Dominus. Christ's exaltation and everlasting priesthood.
Psalm 110. Confitebor tibi, Domine. God is to be praised for his graces, and benefits to his church.
Psalm 111. Beatus vir. The good man is happy.
Psalm 112. Laudate, pueri. God is to be praised for his regard to the poor and humble.
Psalm 113. In exitu Israel. God hath shown his power in delivering his people: idols are vain. The Hebrews divide this into two psalms.
Psalm 114. Dilexi. The prayer of a just man in affliction, with a lively confidence in God.
Psalm 115. Credidi. This in the Hebrew is joined with the foregoing psalm, and continues to express the faith and gratitude of the psalmist.
Psalm 116. Laudate Dominum. All nations are called upon to praise God for his mercy and truth.
Psalm 117. Confitemini Domino. The psalmist praiseth God for his delivery from evils: putteth his whole trust in him; and foretelleth the coming of Christ.
Psalm 118. Beati immaculati. Of the excellence of virtue consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.
Psalm 119. Ad Dominum. A prayer in tribulation.
Psalm 120. Levavi oculos. God is the keeper of his servants.
Psalm 121. Laetatus sum in his. The desire and hope of the just for the coming of the kingdom of God, and the peace of his church.
Psalm 122. Ad te levavi. A prayer in affliction, with confidence in God.
Psalm 123. Nisi quia Domini. The church giveth glory to God for her deliverance, from the hands of her enemies.
Psalm 124. Qui confidunt. The just are always under God's protection.
Psalm 125. In convertendo. The people of God rejoice at their delivery from captivity.
Psalm 126. Nisi Dominus. Nothing can be done without God's grace and blessing.
Psalm 127. Beati omnes. The fear of God is the way to happiness.
Psalm 128. Saepe expugnaverunt. The church of God is invincible: her persecutors come to nothing.
Psalm 129. De profundis. A prayer of a sinner, trusting in the mercies of God. The sixth penitential psalm.
Psalm 130. Domine, none est. The prophet's humility.
Psalm 131. Memento, Domine. A prayer for the fulfilling of the promise made to David.
Psalm 132. Ecce quam bonum. The happiness of brotherly love and concord.
Psalm 133. Ecce nunc benedicite. An exhortation to praise God continually.
Psalm 134. Laudate nomen. An exhortation to praise God: the vanity of idols.
Psalm 135. Confitemini Domino. God is to be praised for his wonderful works.
Psalm 136. Super flumina. The lamentation of the people of God in their captivity in Babylon.
Psalm 137. Confitebor tibi. Thanksgiving to God for his benefits.
Psalm 138. Domine, probasti. God's special providence over his servants.
Psalm 139. Eripe me, Domine. A prayer to be delivered from the wicked.
Psalm 140. Domine, clamavi. A prayer against sinful words, and deceitful flatterers.
Psalm 141. Voce mea. A prayer of David in extremity of danger.
Psalm 142. Domine, exaudi. The psalmist in tribulation calleth upon God for his delivery. The seventh penitential psalm.
Psalm 143. Benedictus Dominus. The prophet praiseth God, and prayeth to be delivered from his enemies. No worldly happiness is to be compared with that of serving God.
Psalm 144. Exaltabo te, Deus. A psalm of praise, to the infinite majesty of God.
Psalm 145. Lauda, anima. We are not to trust in men, but in God alone.
Psalm 146. Laudate Dominum. An exhortation to praise God for his benefits.
Psalm 147. Lauda, Jerusalem. The church is called upon to praise God for his peculiar graces and favours to his people. In the Hebrew, this psalm is joined to the foregoing.
Psalm 148. Laudate Dominum de caelis. All creatures are invited to praise their Creator.
Psalm 149. Cantate Domino. The church is particularly bound to praise God.
Psalm 150. Laudate Dominum in sanctis. An exhortation to praise God with all sorts of instruments.