From 15th Century England, Before the Reign of Henry VIII, a Decorated Manuscript to be Used by the Faithful in the Singing of Psalms 97-99
A beautiful, golden and evocative leaf from a medieval psalm book, last on the market more than 70 years ago
“Let the sea be moved and the fullness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.”
From the prominent manuscript collection of Otto Fisher
Psalters were books of psalms, illuminated or decorated, used by medieval worshipers. They were used throughout Europe, though each country’s manuscripts took on its own flavor. Their decoration...
“Let the sea be moved and the fullness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.”
From the prominent manuscript collection of Otto Fisher
Psalters were books of psalms, illuminated or decorated, used by medieval worshipers. They were used throughout Europe, though each country’s manuscripts took on its own flavor. Their decoration was a high form of art from the period. Then, as today, notes within these books would allow the guided singing of the Psalms each day and on holidays.
Medieval manuscript on vellum in Latin, 15th century, England, 1 page, double sided, containing decorated text of psalms 97-99. They begin, “Sing ye to the Lord anew canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles. He hath remembered his mercy his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God….”
Large initial letters drew further attention to the start of important passages, both with their size and their often elaborate decoration. This leaf contains two such larger decorated initial letters on each side, each with shell-gold and floral themes. There is a 7-line initial C, with floral decoration, embellishments in silver, blue and pink acanthus leaves, and a blue column with white embellishment. The decoration extends the length of the page, terminating at the top and bottom in blue and pink flowers with green and gold-leafed leaves and buds.
The other side contains another 7-line initial I, illuminated in gold, with blue and pink background with delicate black pen work and with pen-flourishes terminating in green leaves and gold-shelled decoration.
This leaf is written in two markedly English hands from the 15th century, giving a small glimpse into the creation of the medieval document. It has been restored from three strips, with the incision lines still apparent.
Recto – front
Full Latin transcription:
Cantate d(omi)no canticum
nouum quia mirabilia
fecit. Saluauit sibi dex-
tera eius et brachium
s(an)c(t)um eius. Notum fecit
d(e)us salutare suum in
conspectu geucum reue-
lauit iusticiam suam. Recordatus est mi(sericordi)e
sue et v(er)itatis sue domui isr(ae)l. Uiderunt om(n)is
termini terre salutare dei n(ost)ri iubilate deo
om(n)is terra cantate et exultate et psallite
Psallite d(omi)no in cythara i(n) cythara et uoce psalmi in
tubis ductilib(us) et uoce tube cornee. Iubilate
in conspectu uegas d(eu)m moneatur mare et ple-
-nitudo eius orbis terrarum et uniu(er)si qui h(ab)ita(n)t
in eo. Flumina plaudent manu simil mo(n)-
-tes exultabu(n)t a consp(e)c(t)u d(eu)m quia uenit qu(on)i(am)
uenit iudicare terra(m). Iudicabit orbe(m) terrarum
in iusticia et p(o)p(u)los in equitate [line filler]
Dominus regnauit irascantur p(o)p(u)li
qui sedes quper cherubym moueatur
D(eu)s in Syon magnus et exelsius super
Verso – back
omnes p(o)p(u)los. Confiteature no(men)i tuo magno
qu(on)i(am) terrible et s(an)c(t)u(m) est, et honor regis iudicium
diligt. Tu parasti direcc(i)ones, iudiciu(m) et ius-
-ticiam in Iacob tu fecisti. Exaltate d(omin)um deum
n(ost)ru(m) et adorate scabillum(m) pedu(m) eius qu(on)i(am) s(an)c(t)u(m)
est. Moyses et Aaron in sacerdotib(us) eius et Sa-
-muel inter eos qui inuocant nomen eius.
Inuocabant d(omi)n(u)m et ip(s)e exaudiebat eos.
in colu(m)pma nubis loquebatur ad eos. Cus-
-todierunt testimonia eius et praeceptum quod
dedit illis. D(omi)ne deus noster tu exaudiebas eos
deus tu p(ro)picius fuisti eis et ulciscens in o(min)es
adinuenc(i)ones eorum. Exaltate D(omi)n(u)m deu(m) nos-
-trum et adorate in monte s(an)c(t)o eius qu(on)i(am) s(an)c(t)us
dominus deus noster. [line filler] Quia mirabli[a] fecit d(omi)n(u)s.
Iubilate deo om(n)is t(er)ra seruite d(omi)no in letitia. Introite
in conspectu eius, in exultacio(n)e. Scitote qu(on)i(am) d(omi)n(u)s i(p)se e(st) d(eu)s
i(p)se fecit nos et non ip(s)i nos. Populus eius et oves pas-
cue eius i(n)troite portas ei(us) i(n) co(n)fessione, atria eius i(n) ymp-
nis co(n)fitemini illi. Laudate nomen eius q(uon)i(am)
suauis est d(omi)n(u)s in eternum mi(ericordi)a eius usq(ue) in ge-
-nerac(i)one et generacionem ueritas eius.
Translation:
Translation of Psalms 97-99:
[97 ]1 Sing ye to the Lord anew canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.
2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
3 He hath remembered his mercy his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.
5 Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:
6 With long trumpets, and sound of comet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king:
7 Let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.
8 The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together
9 At the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.
[98] 1 A psalm for David himself. The Lord hath reigned, let the people be angry: he that sitteth on the cherubims: let the earth be moved.
2 The Lord is great in Sion, and high above all people.
3 Let them give praise to thy great name: for it is terrible and holy:
4 And the king’s honour loveth judgment. Thou hast prepared directions: thou hast done judgment and justice in Jacob.
5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore his footstool, for it is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests: and Samuel among them that call upon his name. They called upon the Lord, and he heard them:
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud. They kept his testimonies, and the commandment which he gave them.
8 Thou didst hear them, O Lord our God: thou wast a merciful God to them, and taking vengeance on all their inventions.
9 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore at his holy mountain: for the Lord our God is holy.
1 A psalm for David himself. The Lord hath reigned, let the people be angry: he that sitteth on the cherubims: let the earth be moved.
2 The Lord is great in Sion, and high above all people.
3 Let them give praise to thy great name: for it is terrible and holy:
4 And the king’s honour loveth judgment. Thou hast prepared directions: thou hast done judgment and justice in Jacob.
5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore his footstool, for it is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests: and Samuel among them that call upon his name. They called upon the Lord, and he heard them:
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud. They kept his testimonies, and the commandment which he gave them.
8 Thou didst hear them, O Lord our God: thou wast a merciful God to them, and taking vengeance on all their inventions.
9 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore at his holy mountain: for the Lord our God is holy.
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