Abyssus abyssum invocat
“Deep calls to deep.”
Vulgate, Psalm 41:8
What does “Abyssus abyssum invocat” mean?
Abyssus abyssum invocat translates as “Deep calls to deep.”
One abyss calls another: one mistake leads to the next, or deep feelings answer deep feelings.
“Abyssus abyssum invocat” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Abyssus | the deep, the abyss | nominative singular (subject) of abyssus, “abyss, bottomless depth”; a Greek loanword, feminine in form but declined like a second-declension noun |
| abyssum | the deep, the abyss | accusative singular (direct object) of abyssus; the ending -um marks it as the one being called |
| invocat | calls upon, calls | 3rd person singular present indicative active of invoco, “I call upon, I summon” (1st conjugation) |
How to pronounce “Abyssus abyssum invocat”
The main difference is the v: w in Classical, v in Church Latin. In Church Latin the y is often sounded like a short i. Stress falls on the second syllable of both abyssus and abyssum, and on the second of invocat.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “abyss abyss calls”, which English renders as “deep calls to deep”. It comes from the Latin Bible, the Vulgate, in Psalm 41:8. In the Hebrew and English numbering the same verse is Psalm 42:7.
In the psalm a man far from home hears the roar of waters and takes it as an image of his own troubles. One wave of trouble seems to summon the next. The Vulgate is the Latin translation of the Bible made largely by Jerome around 400, which is why the quote falls in Late Antiquity.
Later readers took the line in several ways: one misfortune or sin leading to another, or a deep part of the soul answering something deeper, such as God. Today it is also used for the way profound feelings or ideas respond to one another.
How to use “Abyssus abyssum invocat”
Suits a tattoo or caption about emotional depth, grief, faith or a spiritual search. Also fits an essay or sermon on how troubles pile up, or on the pull between deep minds.
- Latin
- Abyssus abyssum invocat
- English
- Deep calls to deep.
- Source
- Vulgate, Psalm 41:8
- Era
- Late Antiquity
- Theme
- Faith
Common mistakes
- Abyssus is the subject and abyssum the object. Swapping or changing the endings reverses who calls whom.
- The line is not “deep calls deep” in the sense of two equals meeting. Grammatically one abyss is acting on the other.
- Verse numbering differs: Psalm 41:8 in the Vulgate is Psalm 42:7 in most modern Bibles, so people cite it both ways.
- It is often read as purely negative, but in the psalm it is also an image of longing for God.
Questions about “Abyssus abyssum invocat”
What does “Abyssus abyssum invocat” mean literally?
“Abyss calls upon abyss”, usually put into English as “deep calls to deep”.
Where does “Abyssus abyssum invocat” come from?
It comes from the Vulgate, Psalm 41:8, which is Psalm 42:7 in most modern English Bibles.
How do you pronounce “Abyssus abyssum invocat”?
Classical: ah-BUS-soos ah-BUS-soom in-WOH-kaht. Church Latin: ah-BEES-soos ah-BEES-soom in-VOH-kaht.
Is “Abyssus abyssum invocat” good Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, it is correct Latin taken straight from the Vulgate. Keep the endings as they are, since changing them changes who calls whom.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
One Latin line. Every Monday.
A quote, its translation and the story behind it, free in your inbox.