Out of the Depths: De Profundis

Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord...

This one line, which comes from the prayer De Profundis, played an important part in the movie, The Sixth Sense. De Profundis (Psalm 129) is the prayer of the holy souls in Purgatory, which we may also pray for them, especially when attending at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or at the end of our daily Rosary. In Latin, the Psalm begins De Profundis clamavi ad te, Domine (Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord). It is also a prayer of hope and repentance which we may offer in thanksgiving after a sincere Confession. "We have committed sins; we confess we have sinned. But God grants pardon to him who repents." (Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962) Finally, De Profundus was also a prophecy of the coming Messiah ("His word"), who offers us His mercy and "plentiful redemption."


De Profundis

Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.

Let Thine ears by attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it?

For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, and by reason of Thy law
I have waited for Thee, O Lord.

My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even until night
Let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy,
and with Him plentiful redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.


Let us pray: - O God, the Giver of Pardon and Lover of man's salvation, we beseech Thee in Thy mercy to grant our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors who have passed out of this life may, by the intercession of the blessed Mary every Virgin and of all Thy Saints, partake of everlasting bliss. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.