Thursday Office of Readings Odd Week noctu

I am attempting to include an mp3 of today's hymn which I sang into a cheap microphone (so don't expect great sound). UPDATE: I guess you can't see the link unless you use an RSS reader or something like that. Try clicking on this to hear the mp3 file.

Nox atra rerum cóntegit
Black night conceals
terræ colóres ómnium:
the colors of all things on earth
nos confiténtes póscimus
confessing Thee we ask
te, iuste iudex córdium,
just Judge of our hearts,

The dusky veil of night hath laid
the varied hues of earth in shade;
before Thee, righteous Judge of all,
we contrite in confession fall.

2. Ut áuferas piácula
that Thou take away our sins
sordésque mentis ábluas,
and wash away the stains of the soul,
donésque, Christe, grátiam
and grant us, O Christ, grace
ut arceántur crímina.
that sin may be kept away.

2. Take far away our load of sin,
Our soiléd minds make clean within
Thy sov'reign grace, O Chirst, impart,
From all offence to guard our heart.

3. Mens, ecce, torpet ímpia,
Behold, the wicked soul is numb
quam culpa mordet nóxia;
which noxius error (mortal sin) stings;
obscúra gestit tóllere
It wishes passionately to put away its darkness
et te, Redémptor, quaérere.
and to seek Thee, O Redeemer.

For lo! our mind is dull and cold,
Envenomed by sin's baneful hold:
Fain would it now the darkness flee,
And seek, Redeemer, unto Thee.

4. Repélle tu calíginem
Push back the gloomy darkness
intrínsecus quam máxime,
within to the maximum degree possible,
ut in beáto gáudeat
that it (the soul) may rejoice
se collocári lúmine.
to establish itself in blessed light.

Far from it drive the shades of night,
Its inmost darkness put to flight;
Till in the daylight of the Blest
It joys to find itself at rest.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piíssime,
tibi Patríque glória
cum Spíritu Paráclito,
in sempitérna saécula. Amen.

5. Almighty Father, hear our cry,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord most High,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Again, Britt was a huge help. Verses 3 and 4 were really tough, and I'm not sure I agree completely with Britt. Let me know what you think.