De Profundis clamavi ad te, Domine

Traditionally prayed for the souls of the faithful departed.

De Profundis (Out of the Depths) is Psalm 130, one of the seven Penitential Psalms, traditionally prayed by Catholics for the souls of the faithful departed. It is a prayer of humility, trust in God’s mercy, and hope in his forgiveness.

The Prayer

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness;
therefore You are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with Him is full redemption.
He Himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

About This Prayer

Psalm 130 is one of the fifteen Psalms of Ascent and one of the seven Penitential Psalms. In Catholic liturgical tradition, it is prayed as part of the Office of the Dead and at burial rites. It has been set to music by many great composers, including Mozart’s famous setting in his Requiem.