‘The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ by St. Bonaventure – Psalms 19-24; pages 16-18

[Saint Bonaventure – XIII Century AD; Civita di Bagnoregio, Papal States/Lyon, Kingdom of Burgundy-Arles; (Aged 52-53); Cardinal; Teacher of the Faith; Seraphic Doctor; Doctor of the Church; Scholastic Theologian, Philosopher]

“PSALM 19
Thou shalt hear us, O Lady, in the day of tribulation: and by our prayers turn to us thy merciful countenance.
Cast us not off in the time of our death: but help the soul, when it shall have left the body.
Send an angel to meet it: by whom it may be defended from the enemy.
Show unto it the most serene Judge of ages: who for thy grace will bestow pardon.
Let it feel thy refreshment in its torments: and grant to it a place among the elect of God.
Glory be to the Father, etc.

PSALM 20
O Lady, in thy strength our heart shall rejoice: and in the sweetness of thy name our soul shall be consoled.
From thy throne send us wisdom: by which we shall be sweetly enlightened in all truth.
Give us grace to abstain from carnal desires: that the light of thy grace may arise in our hearts.
How sweet are thy words, O Lady, to them that love thee: how sweet is the shower of thy graces.
I will sing unto thy glory and honor: and in thy name I will glory forever.
Glory be to the Father, etc.

PSALM 21
O God, my God: let Him look at thy merits in me, ever Virgin Mary.
O my Lady, I have cried to thee by day and by night: and thou hast done mercy with thy servant.
Because I have hoped in thy mercy: thou hast taken away from me everlasting reproach.
Mine enemies have mocked me on every side: but thou under the shadow of thy hand hast bestowed good refreshment on me.
Let all the families of the peoples adore thee: and let all the orders of the angels glorify thee.
Glory be to the Father, etc.

PSALM 22
The Lord rules me, O Virgin Mother of God: because thou hast turned on me thy gracious countenance.
Blessed are thy most resplendent eyes: which thou deignest to turn on sinners.
Blessed is the light and the splendor of thy countenance: blessed is the grace of thy face.
Blessed be the mercy of thy hands: blessed be the stream of thy virginal milk.
Let the prophets and apostles of God bless thee: let martyrs, confessors, and virgins sing praise to thee.
Glory be to the Father, etc.

PSALM 23
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof: but thou, O most holy Mother, reignest with Him forever.
Thou art clothed with glory and beauty: every precious stone is thy covering and thy clothing.
The brightness of the sun is upon thy head: the beauty of the moon is beneath thy feet.
Shining orbs adorn thy throne: the morning stars glorify thee forever.
Be mindful of us, O Lady, in thy good pleasure: and make us worthy to glorify thy name.
Glory be to the Father, etc.

PSALM 24
To thee, O Lady, have I lifted up my soul: in the judgment of God, by the help of thy prayers, I shall not be ashamed.
Let not my adversaries make game of me: for those who trust in thee are strengthened.
Let not the snares of death prevail against me: and the camps of the malignant not hinder my steps.
Crush their violence in thy might: and with mildness meet my soul.
Be my guide unto my fatherland: and deign to join me to thy angelic hosts.
Glory be to the Father, etc.”

Image: Benvenuto di Giovanni ~ Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Bernardino of Siena, c. 1480-1485

Music: Canticum Canticorum (Motets, Book 4) : No. 8, ‘Ecce tu pulcher es, dilecte mi’ · The Hilliard Ensemble · Paul Hillier

‘Ecce tu pulcher es, dilecte mi’ = ‘Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved’

>>> youtube.com/watch?v=Z07HE-DKYfg