Sedimus et Flevimus

Feeling rather melancholy this evening, and one of the psalms from Vespers particularly struck home.

Super flumina Babylonis ibi sedimus et flevimus : * cum recordaremur Sion :
In salicibus in medio ejus * suspendimus organa nostra.
Quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos, * verba cantionum :
Et qui abduxerunt nos : * Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.
Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini * in terra aliena?

By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept, * when we thought of Sion.
There upon the willow trees, * we hung up our harps.
For there they asked joyous songs of us, * who had led us away as captives.
And they said who carried us away: * “Sing for us one of the songs of Sion!”
How could we sing the song of the Lord, * in a strange land?

Even after all these years, the psalms continue to amaze me. Every human emotion may be found there, every possible way of communicating with the Lord: praise, thanksgiving, wonder – true. But also anger, despair, fear.

They provide a way to speak with God, no matter what state you’re in. They remain a wonder to me.