DEUS IN ADIUTORIUM

DEUS IN ADIUTORIUM. — The second verse of Psalm 69, much esteemed by early Christians. JOHN CASSIAN (Collationes, 10, 10: PL 49, 842) recommends it as a ejaculatory prayer against temptations, in all sad or joyful conditions of life, especially before beginning any work or prayer. CASSIODORUS (In Ps., 69) says that monks repeated it three times: “quidquid monachi assumpserint, sine huius versiculi trina iteratione non inchoent”; according to the Rule of ST BENEDICT (ch. 18) it is said at the beginning of every canonical hour to beg God’s grace for good and effective prayer. Whether ST GREGORY THE GREAT prescribed it in the Roman Office, where it is still said at the beginning of each canonical hour, is uncertain. It is also said before the baptism of adults, and the consecration of a church or an altar.