Ad Dominum. A prayer in tribulation. 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.

 1 Canticum graduum. Ad Dominum cum tribularer clamavi, et exaudivit me.  2 Domine, libera animam meam a labiis iniquis et a lingua dolosa.  3 Quid detur tibi, aut quid apponatur tibi ad linguam dolosam?  4 Sagittae potentis acutae, cum carbonibus desolatoriis.  5 Heu mihi, quia incolatus meus prolongatus est! habitavi cum habitantibus Cedar;

 6 multum incola fuit anima mea.  7 Cum his qui oderunt pacem eram pacificus; cum loquebar illis, impugnabant me gratis.