Vulgate. In other cases the revision follows the Vulgate (with of the Erasmus) where the original text had deserted it, as for example: APRIL 1539. Rom. iv. 25, for to justify us. APRIL, NOV. 1540. for our justification. Do I now persuade men or Eph. ii. 12, and had no hope having no hope and being and were without... without... Sometimes the turn given to the rendering appears to be original, as Rom. i. 6, that are called of... the elect of... Phil. i. 10, as hurt no man's as offend no man. conscience. But next to Erasmus the Complutensian edition of the Com plutensian contributed most largely to the changes in the revision. Polyglott. Thus in the Revelation the following new readings are taken from this source: APRIL 1539. x. 6, omit (1). xi. 15, for evermore (2). xii. 4, the stars (3). APRIL, NOV. 1540. (and the earth and the things that therein are). for evermore (Amen). the stars (of heaven). of the Prayer Book taken from the Great Bible. APRIL, NOV. 1540. also (with him). For (the accuser of our brethren is omit. iron (and marble). (and candle light shall be no more burning in the) measured the city with the (golden) reed. xxii. 9, the sayings of this the sayings of (the prophecy of book (10). In one respect the Great this book'. Bible has an important The Psalter and lasting interest for us: the Psalter which is incorporated in the Prayer Book is taken from it. In the first Prayer Book of Edward VI. reference is made 'to the Great English Bible' for the numbers of the Psalms as appointed to be read in the daily services which were necessarily taken from it, and from that time the Psalter used in churches has continued unchanged. No attempt seems to have been made to substitute the Psalter of the Bishops' Bible for that of the Great Bible; and when, upon the last revision of the Prayer Book (1662), it was directed that the other lessons from Scripture should be taken from the royal Version, a special exception was made in favour of the Psalter. The choirs and congregations had grown familiar with it, and it was felt to be smoother and more easy to sing". 1 This list includes only a few very obvious differences, and makes no pretensions to completeness even in the chapters quoted. It is remarkable that all the readings are marked as Latin readings, though 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 are in the Greek text. Mr Offor has collected all the 'interpolations' (Latin readings) found in the Great Bibles in his MS. col lections for the history of the Bible (Brit. Mus. Add. 26, 670, pp. 209 ff.). For a fuller comparison of renderings of the New Testament in the different editions of the Great Bible, see Note A at the end of the Section. 2 The exception was not made without an effort. The bishops concede that the Psalms be collated with the 'former translation mentioned in Chap. iii. istics of this Psalter. A very slight comparison of the Psalter in the Prayer Book with that in the Bible will shew from what this acknowledged smoothness springs. Apart Character from the partial correction of errors in translation, the later version will be seen to be distinguished from the earlier by a scrupulous fidelity to the Hebrew text. Coverdale, like Luther and the Zurich translators on whose model his style was formed, allowed himself considerable freedom in dealing with the shape of the original sentences. At one time a word is repeated to bring out the balance of two clauses: at another time the number is changed: at another time a fuller phrase is supplied for the simple copula, now a word is resolved, and again a particle or an adverb or a pronoun or even an epithet is introduced for the sake of definiteness: there is in every part an endeavour to transfuse the spirit as well as the letter into the English rendering. The execution of the version undoubtedly falls far below the conception of it: the Authorised Version is almost in every case more correct: but still in idea and tone Coverdale's is as a whole superior, and furnishes a noble type for any future revision. of the two One or two examples will illustrate these general Comparison remarks. The materials for extending the comparison Psalters. are accessible to all, and nothing throws more light on the actual history of our Bible'. p. 189 ff. For a collation of pas- 'rubr. [? Great Bible], and printed was taken. It contains the latest I have not ascertained from what text of the Great Bible the Psalter One general change in the PrayerBook Psalter is very greatly to be regretted, and was probably only an oversight. The insertions from the Vulgate (e.g. Ps. xiv. 5-7, &c.), which 3 There is neither speech nor language but their voices are heard among them. 4 Their sound is gone out' into all lands: and their words into the ends of the world. 5 In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun : which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course. 6 It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord. were distinguished from the other parts of the translation in the Great Bible, stand unmarked in the PrayerBook. Would it not be legitimate AUTHORISED VERSION. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech: and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language: where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth: and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun : which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord to print the Prayer-Book Psalter with all these insertions in Italics? 1 Om. out Nov. 1540. is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. IO More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb'. II Moreover by them is thy servant taught: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can tell how oft he offendeth: O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. 13 Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me: so shall I be undefiled and innocent from the great of fence. is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth Let the words of my mouth, 1 The honey-comb and the honey. Nov. 1540, 1541. Chap. iii. History, Р |