What is an Usquequo Domine?

Question

I am not sure if it is a kind of psalm or not. I encountered this title in old music and poetry. What does 'usqueque' mean in Latin?

Answer 1

The English translation of church-Latin "usquequo" is "how long".

The translation of the query phrase "Usquequo Domine?" is "How long, Oh Lord?"

See, for example, usage of "usquequo" in Psalms 12:3, via the translation link below.

Answer 2

Psalm 12. Usquequo, Domine

Abandonment and trust

This beautifully constructed Psalm forms the transition from the oppression of Psalm 11 to the joyous notes of Psalm 15. Every good prayer must mount the three stages of this Psalm: 1) crisis, 2) heartfelt plea, 3) confident hope.

Crisis

Usquequo, Dómine, obliviscéris me in finem? * úsquequo avértis fáciem tuam a me?
2 Quamdiu ponam consília in ánima mea, * dolórem in corde meo per diem?
3 Usquequo exaltábitur inimícus meus super me? * réspice, et exáudi me, Dómine, Deus meus.
How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me for ever? * how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, * and be so vexed in my heart all the day?
3 How long shall mine enemy triumph over me? * consider, and hear me, O Lord my God.

Petition

4 Illúmina óculos meos ne umquam obdórmiam in morte : * nequándo dicat inimícus meus : præválui advérsus eum.
5 Qui tríbulant me, exsultábunt si motus fúero : * ego autem in misericórdia tua sperávi.
4 Enlighten mine eyes, that I sleep never in death; * lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him.
5 For if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it : * but my trust is in thy mercy.

Confident hope

6 Exsultábit cor meum in salutári tuo : cantábo Dómino qui bona tríbuit mihi : * et psallam nómini Dómini altíssimi.
6 My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation : I will sing to the Lord, because he hath given me good things; * yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord Most Highest.