Psalm 112

Scroll of the Psalms

Psalm 112 is the 112th psalm from the Book of Psalms. Just like Psalm 111, it is arranged alphabetically.

This Psalm is numbered as Psalm 111 in Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate.

Uses

Judaism

The psalm begins הַלְלוּ-יָהּ:אַשְׁרֵי-אִישׁ, יָרֵא אֶת-יְהוָה; בְּמִצְו‍ֹתָיו, חָפֵץ מְאֹד.

Catholic

Among Catholics [edit | modify the code]

Saint Benedict of Nursia attributed the psalms from the Psalm 110 at the services of Vespers, in its Rule of St. Benedict set to 530AD. So this psalm was traditionally recited or sung during the solemn service of Vespers on Sunday between the Psalm 111 and Psalm 113.^[1][2]

In ordinary Roman rite, Psalm 112 is currently the reading of the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Moreover, in the Liturgy of the Hours enacted in 1970, the psalm is still recited at Vespers of Sunday's fourth semaine^[3] and evening of the Solemnity of the Epiphany.

Set to music

The Latin text was set to music by many composers of different nationalities, such as Antonio Vivaldi or Claudio Monteverdi. In France, Michel-Richard Delalande and many others also used these words.

Themes

It is usually known by its opening phrase Beatus vir, under which title it is included in numerous musical settings such as Claudio Monteverdi's 1640 Selva morale e spirituale, also known as the Vespers of 1640; Vivaldi's 'Beatus Vir', the third movements of Mozart's Vesperae de Dominica (K. 321) and Vesperae de confessore (K. 339).

1. Beatus vir, qui timet Dominum, in mandatis ejus volet nimis.
2. Potens in terra erit semen ejus, generatio rectorum benedicetur.
3. Gloria et divitiae in domo ejus, et iustitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi.
4. Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis, misericors et miserator et iustus.
5. Iucundus homo, qui miseretur et commodat, disponet res suas in judicio,
6. quia in aeternum non commovebitur. In memoria aeterna erit iustus,
7. ab auditione mala non timebit. Paratum cor ejus, sperare in Domino,
8. confirmatum est cor eius, non commovebitur, donec despiciat inimicos suos.
9. Dispersit dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi, cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.
10. Peccator videbit et irascetur, dentibus suis fremet et tabescet. Desiderium peccatorum peribit.

References

1. Règle de saint Benoît, traduction de Prosper Guéranger, Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes
2. Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, 1938/2003 p486
3. Le cycle principal des prières liturgiques se déroule sur quatre semaines.