Deus in adjutorium meum intende
Encyclopedia
Deus in adjutorium meum intende, with the response: Domine ad adjuvandum me festina (respectively, "O God, come to my assistance" and "O Lord, make haste to help me") are versions of the first verse of Psalm 69
(KJV: "Save me, O God"). In this form they are a traditional Latin Christian prayer.
These words form the introductory prayer to every Hour of the Roman, monastic, and Ambrosian Breviaries, except during the last three days of Holy Week
, and in the Office of the Dead
. While they are said, or sung, all present sign themselves with the sign of the cross
.
Tradition says that Benedict of Nursia
introduced this custom into the monastic Office and that Gregory the Great extended it to all the Roman churches; Cassian
(Coll., X, 10), however, says that from the earliest Christian times the monks used this introduction very often, probably outside of the liturgical prayers.
the "Deus in adjutorium" is preceded in Matins
by the "Domine labia mea aperies", whilst in the monastic Breviary the order is reversed. In Compline
it is always preceded by the "Converte nos Deus".
In the Mozarabic liturgy the Hours commence with the triple Kyrie Eleison. In all the Latin countries north, east, and west of the Alps the introduction to the solemn Vespers
of Easter Sunday was formed by the nine Kyrie Eleison and Christe Eleison of the Easter Mass. In the churches which observe the Greek Rite, the Trisagion
and other prayers open the Hours.
The "Deus in adjutorium" is repeated three times during the conclusional prayers of Prime
. In the monasteries Prime was finished immediately after the prayer: "Domine Deus omnipotens"; then the monks went from the choir to the chapter-room, where the Martyrology
was read, and the day's work was given out; before dispersing to their several occupations they sang three times the "Deus in adjutorium", to emphasize the union of prayer and labour.
Psalm 69
Psalm 69 is the 69th psalm of the Book of Psalms.-Judaism:*Verse 7 is found in the repetition of the Mussaf Amidah on Rosh Hashanah.*Verses 14 and 32 is recited in the blessings before the Shema on the second day of Rosh Hashanah....
(KJV: "Save me, O God"). In this form they are a traditional Latin Christian prayer.
These words form the introductory prayer to every Hour of the Roman, monastic, and Ambrosian Breviaries, except during the last three days of Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
, and in the Office of the Dead
Office of the Dead
The Office of the Dead is a prayer cycle of the Liturgy of the Hours in the Roman Catholic Church, said for the repose of the soul of a decedent. It is the proper reading on All Souls' Day for all souls in Purgatory, and can be a votive office on other days when said for a particular decedent...
. While they are said, or sung, all present sign themselves with the sign of the cross
Sign of the cross
The Sign of the Cross , or crossing oneself, is a ritual hand motion made by members of many branches of Christianity, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of a trinitarian formula....
.
Tradition says that Benedict of Nursia
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...
introduced this custom into the monastic Office and that Gregory the Great extended it to all the Roman churches; Cassian
Cassian
Cassian may refer to:*St. Cassian of Imola, fourth century Christian martyr*St. Cassian of Autun, fourth century Christian bishop of Autun*St. John Cassian the ascetic, 5th century French Christian saint and author.*St...
(Coll., X, 10), however, says that from the earliest Christian times the monks used this introduction very often, probably outside of the liturgical prayers.
Liturgical use
In placing this supplication at the beginning of every Hour the Catholic Church implores the assistance of God against distractions in prayer. In the Roman RiteRoman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
the "Deus in adjutorium" is preceded in Matins
Matins
Matins is the early morning or night prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. The term is also used in some Protestant denominations to describe morning services.The name "Matins" originally referred to the morning office also...
by the "Domine labia mea aperies", whilst in the monastic Breviary the order is reversed. In Compline
Compline
Compline is the final church service of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The English word Compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the working day. The word was first used in this sense about the beginning of the 6th century by St...
it is always preceded by the "Converte nos Deus".
In the Mozarabic liturgy the Hours commence with the triple Kyrie Eleison. In all the Latin countries north, east, and west of the Alps the introduction to the solemn Vespers
Vespers
Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Western Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies of the canonical hours...
of Easter Sunday was formed by the nine Kyrie Eleison and Christe Eleison of the Easter Mass. In the churches which observe the Greek Rite, the Trisagion
Trisagion
The Trisagion , sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos or by the Latin Tersanctus, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches and Catholic Churches.In those Churches which use the Byzantine Rite, the Trisagion is chanted...
and other prayers open the Hours.
The "Deus in adjutorium" is repeated three times during the conclusional prayers of Prime
Prime (liturgy)
Prime, or the First Hour, is a fixed time of prayer of the traditional Divine Office , said at the first hour of daylight , between the morning Hour of Lauds and the 9 a.m. Hour of Terce. It is part of the Christian liturgies of Eastern Christianity, but in the Latin Rite it was suppressed by the...
. In the monasteries Prime was finished immediately after the prayer: "Domine Deus omnipotens"; then the monks went from the choir to the chapter-room, where the Martyrology
Martyrology
A martyrology is a catalogue or list of martyrs , arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts. Local martyrologies record exclusively the custom of a particular Church. Local lists were enriched by names borrowed from neighbouring churches...
was read, and the day's work was given out; before dispersing to their several occupations they sang three times the "Deus in adjutorium", to emphasize the union of prayer and labour.