Alieni Insurrexerunt is an antiphon for Good Friday, being the third antiphon of the Second Nocturn. Here David, persecuted by Saul, is a prefigure of Our Lord who suffered
from the malice of the synagogue. After being delivered into the hands of the wicked, Christ has recourse to the Father as the only invincible refuge.
Alieni Insurrexerunt is the antiphon preceding Psalm 53 on Good Friday. It is here sung by the Escolania A Capella Choir.
Listen to the Alieni Insurrexerunt
Lyrics:
Latin lyrics
Ant. Alieni insurrexerunt in me,
Et fortes quaesierunt animam meam.
1. Deus, in nomine tuo salvum me fac:
Et in virtute tua judica me.
2. Deus, exaudi orationem meam:
Auribus percipe verba oris mei.
3. Quoniam alieni insurrexerunt adversum me,
Et fortes quaesierunt animam meam,
Et non proposuerunt Deum ante conspectum suum.
4. Ecce enim Deus adjuvat me,
Et Dominus susceptor est animae meae.
5. Averte mala inimicis meis;
Et in veritate tua disperde illos.
6. Voluntarie sacrificabo tibi,
Et confitebor nomini tuo,
Domine, quoniam bonum est.
7. Quoniam ex omni tribulatione eripuisti me,
Et super inimicos meos despexit oculus meus.
English translation
Ant. Strangers have risen up against me,
And the mighty have sought after my soul.
1. Save me, O God, by thy name.
And judge me in thy strength.
2. O God, hear my prayer,
Give ear to the words of my mouth.
3. For strangers have risen up against me
And the mighty have sought after my soul:
And they have not set God before their eyes.
4. For behold God is my helper,
And the Lord is the protector of my soul.
5. Turn back the evils upon my enemies;
And cut them off in thy truth.
6. I will freely sacrifice to thee,
And will give praise to thy name,
Lord, because it is good.
7. For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble,
And my eye hath looked down upon my enemies.
