Penitential Psalms

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The Penitential Psalms or Psalms of Confession is a name given from very early times to Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130 (6, 31, 37, 50, 101, and 129 in the Septuagint numbering), which are specially expressive of sorrow for sin. 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 six 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 (one of the most famous settings is by Gregorio Allegri), and the De profundis (Psalm 130) has been set numerous times as well, most famously in the Renaissance by Josquin des Prez.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopaedia.

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