Devotion, history and use of the psalm De Profundis 130

De Profundis is the common name for the 130th Psalm (in the modern numbering system; in the traditional numbering system, it is the 129th Psalm). The Psalm takes its name from the first two words of the psalm in its Latin phrase (see below). This Psalm has a varied history of use in many traditions.

In Catholicism, the rule of St. Benedict, established around 530 AD, assigned the De Profundis to be recited on Tuesday at the beginning of the Vespers service, followed by Psalm 131. It is a penitential psalm also sung in commemoration of the dead, and is also a good psalm express our pain as we prepare for the sacrament of confession.

For Catholics, every time a believer recites De Profundis, they are said to receive a partial indulgence (the remission of part of the punishment for sin).

De Profundis also has a variety of uses in Judaism. It is recited as part of the high holiday liturgy, for example, and is traditionally recited as a prayer for the sick.

De Profundis has also appeared in world literature, in the works of the Spanish author Federico García Lorca and in a long letter from Oscar Wilde to his lover.

The Psalm has often been put to music, with many of the melodies written by some of the world's most famous composers, including Bach, Handel, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Mozart, as well as modern composers such as Vangelis and Leonard Bernstein.

The 130th Psalm in Latin
You secretly clamored to yourself, Domine;
Domine, exaudi vocim meam. Fiant aures tuæ intendantes
in vocim deprecationis meæ.
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit?
Quia apud te propitiatio est; et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
Sustinuit anima mea in verb ejus:
Speravit soul mea in Domino.
A custody matutina usque ad noctem, speret israelël in Domino.
Quia apud Dominum mercy, et copious apud eum redemptio.
Et ipse redeem Israël ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.

The Italian translation
From deep I cry you, O Lord; Sir, listen to my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my pleading voice.
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who do you bear?
But with you is forgiveness, to be revered.
I have faith in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word.
My soul awaits the Lord more than the sentries await the dawn.
More than watchmen await the dawn, Israel awaits the Lord,
because with the Lord it is kindness and with him there is abundant redemption;
And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.