Homilies on Exodus, Homilia VI
Horse and rider thrown into the sea§1
1Let us sing to the Lord: horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. Those who chase us are “horses”; they carry riders — demonic powers or reigning vices. Christ sends a cavalry of salvation. Know God as yours and glorify him; know him as Father and exalt him — that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father.
Latin · §1
Cantemus Domino: equum et ascensorem proiecit in mare. Homines insequentes equi sunt; habent ascensores — daemonia vel vitia. Christus equitatum salutis mittit. Qui Deum suum cognoscit, glorificat; qui et Patrem, exaltat.
Helper and protector become my salvation§2
2He has become my helper and protector for salvation; the Lord is his name. Leaving Egypt is not enough; battle still needs a helper. This is the church’s song after the baptismal sea.
Latin · §2
Adiutor et protector factus est mihi in salutem. Dominus nomen illi. Non sufficit Aegyptum exire; opus est adiutorio in pugna. Hic cantus ecclesiae post baptismum.
Pharaoh’s chariots sunk like lead§3
3Pharaoh’s chariots and army he cast into the sea; his chosen captains sank in the Red Sea. The deeps covered them; they went down like lead in mighty waters. When the people pass through, unseen enemies sink.
Latin · §3
Quadrigas Pharaonis et exercitum proiecit in mare; electi principes demersi sunt in rubro mari. Abyssi operuerunt eos; descenderunt in profundum sicut plumbum. Hostes invisibiles merguntur cum populus transit.
Right hand glorious in power§4
4Your right hand, O Lord, is glorified in power; your right hand has shattered the enemy. The right hand is Christ, the arm of the Lord. At the cross the hostile powers are broken.
Latin · §4
Dextera tua, Domine, glorificata est in virtute; dextera tua confregit inimicos. Dextera — Christus, brachium Domini. In cruce hostes confringuntur.
Who is like you among the gods?§5
5Who is like you among the gods, O Lord — glorious in the holy ones, doing wonders?. Not a ranking of peer idols, but the confession that none compares.
Latin · §5
Quis similis tibi in diis, Domine? Gloriosus in sanctis, mirabilis in majestatibus, faciens prodigia. Non comparatio idolorum aequalium, sed confessio incomparabilis.
You stretched out your right hand§6
6You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed them. The earth that swallows foes is God’s judgment — sometimes the deep itself. The church learns to stretch out hands in the shape of Christ’s cross.
Latin · §6
Extendisti dexteram tuam, et devoravit eos terra. Terra quae absorbet hostes — iudicium Dei; aliquando inferorum profundum. Ecclesia extendit manus in cruce Christi.
In your justice you led this people§7
7In your justice you led this people whom you redeemed. Not our merits but God’s justice. Redemption comes first; grace opens the road.
Latin · §7
Deduxisti iustitia tua populum tuum hunc quem redemisti. Non meritis nostris sed iustitia Dei. Redemptio praecedit ductum; gratia viam aperit.
Nations heard and trembled§8
8The nations heard and were angry; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Holy fear runs ahead of the gospel; news of the sea-crossing goes before the land of promise.
Latin · §8
Audierunt gentes et iratae sunt; dolores apprehenderunt habitatores Philisthiim. Timores praecurrunt evangelium. Fama transitus maris praevenit terram promissionis.
Chiefs of Edom / Canaan melted§9
9Then the chiefs of Edom hurried, and the princes of Moab; all Canaan’s dwellers melted. Fear of God dissolves the nations’ arrogance.
Latin · §9
Tunc festinaverunt duces Edom et principes Moabitarum; tabuerunt omnes habitatores Chanaan. Timor Dei dissolvit arrogantiam gentium.
Plant them on the mountain of inheritance§10
10Leading them in, plant them on the mountain of your inheritance. God does not want wanderers; he wants a planting firm in Christ. The mountain is church — or the height of contemplation.
Latin · §10
Inducens planta eos in monte hereditatis tuae. Non vult nos erraticos; plantatio firma in Christo. Mons — ecclesia vel contemplatio.
In your prepared dwelling§11
11In the prepared dwelling you made ready, O Lord. Many dwellings are with the Father; Christ prepares them. The dwelling is also a cleansed heart.
Latin · §11
In praeparata habitatione tua, quam praeparasti Domine. Mansiones multae apud Patrem; praeparatio Christi. Habitatio — cor mundatum.
Sanctuary your hands established§12
12The sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands prepared. Not only a human temple, but Christ’s body and the church. The Lord’s hands do the building.
Latin · §12
Sanctuarium, Domine, quod praeparaverunt manus tuae. Non humanum templum solum, sed corpus Christi et ecclesia. Manus Domini fabricant.
The Lord shall reign forever§13
13The Lord reigning forever and ever. Not Egypt’s temporary throne — Christ’s eternal reign. Here the victory song reaches its crest.
Latin · §13
Dominus regnans in aeternum et in saeculum et adhuc. Regnum non temporarium Aegypti; aeternum Christi. Hic finis cantici victoriae.
Miriam’s timbrel — Homilia VI CLOSEOUT§14
14Miriam the prophetess took the tambourine; all the women went out after her. The prophesying soul leads praise; ordered affections follow. We too, having left the sea, must sing. Amen.
Latin · §14
Sumpsit Maria prophetissa tympanum; exierunt omnes mulieres post eam. Anima prophetans laudat; sensus carnales sequuntur in ordine. Cantemus et nos egressi mare. Amen.