Latin phase, literally, "
out of the depths." Taken from the
Latin Vulgate version of the 129th
psalm, it generally connotes a sense of deep, philosophical reflection on
existential issues.
Also, the De Profundis is one of the fifteen Gradual Psalms, which were sung by the Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, and which are still contained in the Roman breviary. It is also one of the seven Penitential Psalms which, in the East and the West, were already used as such by the early Christians. In the Divine Office the De Profundis is sung every Wednesday at Vespers, also at the second Vespers of Christmas
V. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine;
R. Domine, exaudi vocem meam.
V. Fiant aures tuae intendentes
R. In vocem deprecationis meae.
V. Si iniquitates observaveris,
Domine;
R. Domine, quis sustinebit?
V. Quia apud te propitiatio est;
R. et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
V. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus;
R. Speravit anima mea in Domino.
V. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem,
R. Speret Israel in Domino.
V. Quia apud Dominum misericordia,
R. Et copiosa apud eum redemptio.
V. Et ipse redimet
Israel
R. Ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.
V. Gloria patri, et filio,
R. et Spiritui Sancto.
V. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
R.
et in saecula saeculorum.
Amen.
Close, kenata.
English translation:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication:
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
I trust in the Lord;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the Lord;
For with the Lord is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
Glory be the Father, to the Son
and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
Is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.