Signor, poiche ti piacque, in mezzo a'rei perigli essermi asilo, e non lasciar che i fieri miei nemici andasser del mio mal superbi e lieti;
giusto e ben, che il mio labbro io sciolga al canto, onde per me s'esalti l'immensa tua pietà, la tua grandezza.
A te, mentre giacea mia salma inferma,
ed era oppresso il cor da mille affanni e mille, alzai grida dolenti, e mi sanasti!
Tu, mio Dio, dalla tomba me uscir facesti, ei mi serbasti in vita fra l'infech'acerba
lice innumerabil turba di quei morte
cader faceva in fossa atra e profonda.
Alme, al servigio sacre di Signor, si possente, salmi cantate ed inni e celebrate del santo nome suo l'eccelse lodi!
Se per breve momento, di giusto sdegno acceso ei ne gastiga, tosto mosso a pietade ei vuol render a noi vita e salute!
Se la sera si piange, il Sol non sorge
che il pianto amaro in dolce riso e volto.
Anch'io fra me dicea, allor ch'in mar di gioie e di contenti era il mio core immerso: mai non sarà, ch'io cada
da cosi alto e si felice stato.
Folle, ch'io non vedea esser un puro
dono di tua clemenza, alto Signor, la mia felicitade!
Appena ritirasti da me lo sguardo, on'in profondo abisso di miseri'e di pianto cangiasi il mar di gioia, e la calma
del core in ria procella!
Allor miei preci a te, Signor, io porsi, e gridai:
Qual profitto aspetti mai di trar dalla mia morte quand'in oscura tomba il corpo mio sia sepolto e corrotto?
Forse un cenere freddo potrà lodarti e al mondo annunziar tua veritade eterna?
M'udi'l Signor e de'miei tristi guai
pietà gli prese e me presto'l suo aiuto.
Si, tu, o mio Dio, cangiasti in dolce riso quel che si mi bagnava amaro pianto, e trattomi di dosso e in pezzi fatto l'orrido sacco, ond'io per segno di dolor cuopria mie membra; d'allegrezza e d'onor mi rivesti!
Dunque a cantar io prendo tue laudi eccelse e l'alma affatto e sgombra da quel cupo del dolor che l'opprimea! Signor, sinch'avrò spirto e ch'avrò vita, esalterò la tua pietà infinita!
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Lord, since it pleases you, amidst evil dangers, to be my refuge, and not let my proud enemies go from my distress arrogant and happy; it is right that I free my lips for singing, so that through me may be exalted your boundless mercy and your greatness.
To you, with my body ill & my heart oppressed with myriad troubles, I raised a doleful cry, & you healed me!
You, my God, brought me up from the grave, and kept me alive amidst the unhappy multitude of those whom bitter death has felled into a dark and deep pit.
Souls, to the sacred service of the almighty Lord, sing psalms and hymns & celebrate his sacred name' s high praises!
If for a moment, inflamed with justified anger, he punishes, soon, moved to compassion, he will give us back life & well-being!
If there is weeping at night, the sun will not rise until the the bitter plaint has turned to sweet laughter.
I too said to myself, when in a flood of joy and contentment my heart was immersed: never will I fall from such a high and happy state.
I was a fool not to see my happiness as simply a gift of your mercy, Lord above!
As soon as you have withdrawn your regard from me, into a deep abyss of misery and lament my flood of joy is changed, and my heart's calm into a cruel tempest!
So I appealed to you, Lord,
and I cried out:
What profit do you hope ever to draw from my death, when in a dark grave my body is buried and decayed?
Can cold ashes possibly praise you and proclaim your eternal truth to the world?
May the Lord hear me and may pity for my woes move him to lend me his help.
Yes, you, my God, have changed to sweet laughter the bitter lament that flooded me, and ripped to pieces the horrid sackcloth in which, as a sign of sadness, I had covered my limbs; with joy and honor you have clothed me anew!
So in singing I take up your lofty praises,
& my soul is wholly free from that dark grief that oppressed it! Lord, as long as
I have life and breath, I shall extol your infinite mercy!
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2. I will exalt you, Lord, for you have raised me and not let my foes rejoice over me.
3. O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you healed me.
4. Lord, you brought my soul out of hell; you preserved me from going down into the pit.
5. Sing to the Lord, his faithful ones, and acknowledge his holiness.
6a. For a moment in anger, but a lifetime in his favor;
6b. weeping lodges for the night, but in the morning -- joy!
7. But I, feeling secure, said: "I shall never be moved."
8a. Lord, at your pleasure, you made me a mountain of strength,
8b. but when you hid your face, I was terrified.
9. I called to you, Lord; I prayed to my Master:
10. What profit is there in my blood, in my descent to the netherworld?
Will the dust thank you,
will it declare your truth?
11. Hear, Lord, and pity me; Lord, be my helper.
12. You have turned my lament to dancing, taken off my sackcloth & girded me with gladness.
13. So that honor may sing to you and not be silent; Lord my God, I will thank you forever.
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