Miserere Mei Deus is a musical rendition of Psalm 51 to be sung on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week. Here King David, recognizing his sin, laments and grieves. Humble and contrite, the great King of Israel begs forgiveness of God, openly admitting his fault. Let us take the example of David, that God may
wipe away our sins and hear our supplications. God loves the repentant sinner, and it is the contrite heart that finds salvation.
This version was composed by Fr. Tomás Luis de Victoria.
It is here sung by the choir La Colombina.
Listen to Miserere Mei Deus
Latin Lyrics:
Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea et a peccato meo munda me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
Tibi soli peccavi et malum coram te feci ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis et vincas cum iudicaris.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
Asparges me hysopo et mundabor lavabis me et super nivem dealbabor.
Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam exultabunt ossa humiliata.
Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus, et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Ne proicias me a facie tua et Spiritum Sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui et spiritu principali confirma me.
Docebo iniquos vias tuas et impii ad te convertentur.
Libera me de sanguinibus Deus Deus salutis meae exultabit lingua mea iustitiam tuam.
Domine labia mea aperies et os meum adnuntiabit laudem tuam.
Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium dedissem utique holocaustis non delectaberis.
Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus cor contritum et humiliatum Deus non spernet.
Benigne fac Domine in bona voluntate tua Sion et aedificentur muri Hierusalem.
Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae oblationes et holocausta tunc inponent super altare tuum vitulos.
Translation:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy.
And according to the multitude of Your mercies delete my iniquity.
Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
Before You I sinned; I did evil in Your face: You are just in
Your word, and without reproach in Your judgment.
Behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.
Behold You love truth; the uncertain and hidden things of Your wisdom You manifested to me.
Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
To my hearing give joy and gladness; and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
Turn away Your face from my sins, and wipe away all my iniquities.
Create a clean heart in me, O God; and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cast me not away from Your face; and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I will teach the unjust Your ways: and the wicked shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation; and my tongue shall extol
Your justice.
O Lord, open my lips: and my mouth shall announce Your glory.
For if You desire sacrifice, I give it; but with burnt offerings You are not delighted.
A sacrifice to God is a penitent spirit; a contrite & humbled heart God
does not despise.
Be favorable to Sion, O Lord, in Your good will; so that the walls of Jerusalem be built up.
Then, the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings shall be
accepted; then, calves upon the altar shall be laid.
