A gradual canticle. . .The following psalms, in number fifteen, are called gradual psalms, or canticles, from the word gradus, signifying steps, ascensions, or degrees: either because they were appointed to be sung on the fifteen steps, by which the people ascended to the temple: or, that in the singing of them the voice was to be raised by certain steps or ascensions: or, that they were to be sung by the people returning from their captivity and ascending to Jerusalem, which was seated amongst mountains. The holy fathers, in a mystical sense, understand these steps, or ascensions, of the degrees by which Christians spiritually ascend to virtue and perfection; and to the true temple of God in the heavenly Jerusalem. 119:1. In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me. 119:2. O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue. 119:3. What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue? 119:4. The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste. 119:5. Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Cedar: 119:6. My soul hath been long a sojourner. 119:7. With them that hated peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause. Psalms Chapter 120 Levavi oculos. God is the keeper of his servants. A gradual canticle. 120:1. I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me. 120:2. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 120:3. May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee. 120:4. Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel. 120:5. The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand. 120:6. The sun shall not burn thee by day: nor the moon by night. 120:7. The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul. 120:8. May the Lord keep thy coming in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever. Psalms Chapter 121 Laetatus sum in his. The desire and hope of the just for the coming of the kingdom of God, and the peace of his church. 121:1. A gradual canticle. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. 121:2. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem. 121:3. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together. 121:4. For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. 121:5. Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David. 121:6. Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee. 121:7. Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers. 121:8. For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee. 121:9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee. Psalms Chapter 122 Ad te levavi.