‘The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ by St. Bonaventure – Psalms 38-41; pages 23-24
[Saint Bonaventure – XIII Century AD; born: Civita di Bagnoregio, Papal States/died: Lyon, Kingdom of Burgundy-Arles; (Aged 52-53); Cardinal; Teacher of the Faith; Seraphic Doctor; Doctor of the Church; Scholastic Theologian, Philosopher]PSALM 38
I said: I will keep my ways, O Lady: when by thee the grace of Christ was given to me.
By thy sweetness my soul was melted: my bowels are inflamed by thy love.
Hear my prayer, O Lady, and my supplication: and let mine enemies pine away.
Have mercy on me from Heaven and from the height of thy throne: and permit me not to be troubled in the valley of misery.
Keep my foot, lest it should be injured: and may thy grace be with my end.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
PSALM 39
Expecting, I have expected thy grace: and thou hast done with me according to the multitude of the mercies of thy name.
Thou hast heard my prayers: and thou hast led me out of the den of misery, and from the pit of the enemy.
Manifold and wonderful are thy gifts, O Lady: incomparable are the gifts of thy graces.
Let all those exult and rejoice in thee who love thee: let them who have hated thy name, fall into hell.
Blessed be thou forever, O Lady: forever, world without end.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
PSALM 40
Blessed Mary understandeth concerning the needy and the poor: who remains faithful in her praises.
Lady of the angels, Queen of the world: purify my heart with the fire of love and of thy charity.
Thou art the mother of the illumination of my heart: thou art the nurse who refreshes my mind.
My mouth longs to praise thee: my mind devoutly aspires to venerate thee with ardent affection.
My soul longs to pray to thee: because the whole of my being commends itself to thy guidance and teaching.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
PSALM 41
As the hart longs for the water-brooks, so doth my soul pine for thy love.
For thou art the mother of my life: and the sublime repairer of my flesh.
For thou art the feeder of the Savior of my soul: the beginning and the end of all my salvation.
Hear me, O Lady, let my stains be cleansed: enlighten me, O Lady, that my darkness may be illuminated.
Let my tepidity be enkindled by thy love: let my torpor be expelled by thy grace.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Image: 1200s – ‘Virgin Enthroned with Six Angels’