Penitential Psalms
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The Penitential Psalms or Psalms of Confession is a name designation dating from the seventh century A.D. given to Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143 (6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, and 142 in the Septuagint numbering), which are specially expressive of sorrow for sin. These psalms were selected by St. Augustine of Hippo in the early 400s. The name belonged originally to the fifty-first Psalm (Miserere), which was recited at the close of daily morning service in the primitive Church.
In music, the most famous setting of all seven is by Orlande de Lassus, with his Psalmi Davidis poenitentiales of 1584. Individual psalms in this set have long been favorites for composers; in particular, the Miserere has been set hundreds of times (famous settings include those by Gregorio Allegri and Josquin des Prez). The De profundis (Psalm 130) has been set numerous times as well, most famously in the Renaissance twice by Josquin des Prez.
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This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopædia.
