Text of Monteverdi’s Beatus vir with an English translation

The text of Monteverdi’s Beatus vir with an English translation.  The text is from the Latin Vulgate Bible.  The translation is from the King James Bible.

Beatus vir

Beatus vir, qui timet Dominum:

In mandatis eius rolet nimis.

Potens in terra erit semen eius;

Generatio rectorum benedicetur.

Gloria et divitiae in domo eius;

Et justitia eius manet in saeculum saeculi.

Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis:

Misericors, et miserator et justus.

Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat.

Disponet sermones suos in judicio:

Quia in aeternum non commovebitur.

In memoria aeterna erit justus.

Ab auditione mala non timebit.

Paratum cor eius sperare in Domino;

Confirmatum est, cor eius:

Non commovebitur,

Donec despiciat inimicos suos.

Dispersit, dedit pauperibus:

Justitia eius manct in saeculum saeculi,

Cornu eius exaltabitur in gloria.

Peccator videbit, et irascetur;

Dentibus suis fremet et tabescet.

Desiderium peccatorum peribit.

 

Translation

Blessed is the man who fears the lord:

He delights greatly in his commandments.

His seed will be mightly on earth;

The generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house;

And his righteousness endures for ever and ever.

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness:

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Good is the man who is full of compassion and lends.

He will guide his affairs with discretion:

Because he will not be moved for ever.

The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

He will not be afraid of evil tidings.

His heart is fixed, trusting in the lord;

His heart is established:

He will not be moved,

Until he gazes at his enemies.

He has dispersed, he has given to the poor:

His righteousness endures for ever and ever,

The strength of his soul will be exalted with honour.

The sinner will see it, and will be grieved;

He will gnash with his teeth, and melt away.