concept

Psalm 50 (51), verse 9 (Miserere)

Psalm 50

also: И паче снега убелюся, Miserere mei

The Church Slavonic penitential psalm (numbered 50 in the Orthodox/Septuagint numbering, 51 in the Hebrew/KJV numbering) traditionally read over the dead and at the panikhida; Milyutikha reads its verse on being washed whiter than snow in a flat, droning voice from the next room while Vasilyev lies bleeding, the liturgical language landing as bleak irony rather than comfort.

Reading notes

A Story Without an End §46 "И паче снега убелюся..."
Milyutikha's droning recitation is Psalm 50 (51):9 in Church Slavonic, the great penitential psalm read at panikhidas and around the dead; its promise of being washed 'whiter than snow' plays in flat counterpoint against the blood on the floor next door.

Mentioned in 0 works (0 mentions)

No recorded mentions yet.