Liberavit Dominus

Hymns & songs

Holy Week Liturgy
Liberavit Dominus
Liberavit Dominus is the responsory for the 2nd nocturne of Maundy Thursday. This psalm extols the glory of Our Lord. At first glance it may seem inappropriate for the somber atmosphere of Holy Week. However, the Church has chosen this psalm specifically to remind the faithful that Our Lord is undergoing His trials for the deliverance of man. We are the poor and Satan is the mighty, but it is Our Lord who is about to deliver us and conquer Satan through the redemptive value of His Passion.

This rendition of Liberavit Dominus was composed by the 16^th century Spanish composer Fr. Tomas Luis de Victoria. It is here sung by the Schola Antiqua.

Listen to Liberavit Dominus

Latin Lyrics:

Liberavit Dominus pauperem a potente,
Et inopem, cui non erat adjutor.

Deus judicium Tuum regi da:
Et justitiam Tuam filio regis.

Liberavit Dominus pauperem a potente,
Et inopem, cui non erat adjutor.

English Translation:

The Lord has delivered the poor from the mighty;
And the needy who had no helper.

To the king give Thy judgment, O God;
And to the king's son Thy justice.

The Lord has delivered the poor from the mighty;
And the needy who had no helper.