Purg. 2.46: "In exitu Israel de Egypto"
For t he pertinence of typical medieval rubrics, Musica Humana serves three functions for repairing a relationship with God; soothing, worshiping, and teaching. Psalms help souls expiate the specific sins.
Sung by the redeemed souls as they cross the sea under the guidance of their Celestial Pilot. (DR)
Purg. 5.24: "Miserere"
"Misere" is the first word of David's song of penance. Verso a Verso can mean that the phrase/song was sung by a groups that was split into two choruses singing their verses respectively. "Misere" is sung by the spirits of those who deferred their repentance until late and were killed by violence and saved from damnation. "Misere" specially means "Have mercy upon me, O God." How fitting it is that Dante has this psalm since we know that the souls in Purgatory have hope in that their sins will be forgiven nd they will be closer to God. "Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly was me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (DR)
Purg. 7.82: "Salve Regina"
Sung by the spirits in the Valley of the Kings (Henry III joining in)/Dante reinforces their humility. Part of "Salve Regina" has the verses "to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears" We can see Valley of Tears as a reference made in to the soul being in exile while being sung towards nightfall. How fitting this hymn is as the souls of purgatory have the desire to see God and reach Paradise and what better way to do that than through the intercession of Mother Mary. (DR)
Purg. 8.13: "Te lucis ante"
Sung during the evening tide, is described by Dante as so sweet that the sound of it took him out of himself as they occur in Ante-Purgatory. As they hymn is sung in the evening, before the ending of day, part of the English translations states "To thee, before the end of the light, Creator of all things, we pray, that thy accustomed mercy may be our protector and guard. " As souls in Purgatory sing this hymn, it could be that their eyes gaze to the East (heavens) with uplifted hands asking for God's mercy and forgiveness and hey surrender themselves to him. (DR)
Purg. 9.140: "Te Deum laudamus"
Dante here is greeted by the hymn "Te Deum" sounding as though accompanied by an organ is suitable. "Thou, having taken upon thee to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin’s womb. When Thou hadst overcome the sting of death, Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. " It is fitting we can hear a positive tone as this chant could be accompanying a soul's entrance into purgatory. Although those who have sinned enter purgatory, we find it as a place of hope where these souls can wait, pray, sing and believe that in time they will be in paradise with God. (DR)
Purg. 16.19: "Agnus Dei"
Soothing, worshiping, and teaching aspects combine when souls of the wrathful repeat with on accord of Agnus Dei. "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace." Souls who sing this prayer are longing for peace as is most appropriately uttered by those who in this life bore about within themselves, the fumes of wrath, which in Purgatory now envelop and blind them. These souls long for the mercy that only God can give and ending with grant us peace as their souls can heal before entering paradise. (DR)
Purg. 20.136: "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"
The whole of Purgatory sings the "Gloria In Excelsis" as a purified soul arises to true life. With the birth of Christ, comes new life. The passage in Luke 2:13-14 presents angelic praise of God at the birth of Jesus ("Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peach among men of good will"). Dante compares himself and Virgil to the shepherds that first heard the Gloria. The birth of Jesus stands for the rebirth of the soul, who has finished his time in Purgatory and is ready to ascend to Heaven and be with God our Father. (DR)
Purg. 29:3 "Beati quorum tecta sunt"
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered" this phrase can symbolize God's reward for just humans. Matelda sings this Psalm amid the flowers of the Terrestrial Paradise. How fitting it is that this Psalm that it gives souls in Purgatory a sense of hope and clarity that God is just and does forgive. (DR)
Purg. 31.98: "Asperges me"
"Thou shalt sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy." The angels presumably sing this. This is pronounced when the priest sprinkles the holy water on the sinner who has confessed himself thus absolving them of their sins. This could represent when Dante crosses of Lethe as he drinks from the water of the river, he is cleansed therefore it becomes an absolution which completes the act of penance for the sinner as well as the ultimate justification. (DR)