PREFACE.

I. IN preparing a new Edition of their Translation of the Book of Psalms, the Translators are not unmindful of the very considerable period of time, which has elapsed, since their work originally appeared. It may possibly be thought that, as the first Edition has been for several years out of print, they should have sooner resumed their labours, and brought to an earlier termination the task, which they have just completed. If they now refrain from offering any apology for the delay, that has occurred, it is because time and opportunity have enabled them gradually to correct the errors, which are almost unavoidable in a first Impression, and so to render this Edition more worthy of the reader's perusal and favour.

II. In the present volume, the Translators have retained that form of exhibiting the Psalms, which the structure of the sentences in the original Hebrew appears, in their judgment, to suggest and require. That there is generally in these compositions some artificial arrangement, they conceive to be unquestionable; such arrangement having been chosen, either to adapt the Psalms to music, or to assist the memory, or to inculcate divine truth with the more sure effect, or to attain all these objects collectively. The leading peculiarity in the lan

guage of the Psalms is this. Each sentence is usually divided into two parts, closely corresponding to each other; not so much, however, in the number of the syllables contained in them, as in the ideas which they severally express. A reference to Psalm xix. 7-9 (a passage, which beautifully displays this kind of writing) will at once sufficiently illustrate and establish the truth of this remark.

III. The Translators desire farther to state that, when revising and reconsidering their former conclusions, they have acted upon the principles of interpretation detailed in the Preface to the first Edition, availing themselves of such assistance as the several Translations and Commentaries on the Psalms, published upon the Continent within the last twelve years, could supply. A comparison of the present, with the Edition which preceded it, will readily show that, numerous as are the points in which they vary from each other, these variations consist rather in the mode of expression, than in any actual differences of meaning. Some modifications and changes, it is true, in the views of the Translators regarding particular passages, have taken place; and these, they have introduced, and supported by such authorities as seemed to warrant them. But the reader will perceive that the present work is more especially distinguished from the former, by a careful recurrence to the language of the Liturgical, as well as the Authorised, Version of the Psalms. Upon the relative merits of these Versions, the Translators do not feel themselves called upon to pass any formal judgment. At the same time,

they cannot but remember and acknowledge that to the venerable Prayer Book Version, although it be confessedly less literal and correct than that of the Bible, is to be almost entirely attributed the happy and extensive influence, which the Psalms have ever exercised over the National Literature, and the tone of religious feeling among the Community.

This Version it is, which has for ages guided the steps, soothed the sorrows, supported the faith, and animated the hopes of our Fathers; and hence are we ready, with reverent and heartfelt gratitude, to exclaim respecting it: "For our brethren and companions' sakes, we will wish thee prosperity.”

IV. With the view of laying before their readers the intrinsic excellencies of the Psalms, and thereby showing the grounds upon which this portion of the Inspired Volume holds so pre-eminent a place in the Christian Ritual, the Translators willingly adopt the judicious and powerful observations of a highly honoured Father of the English Church.

"The choice and flower of all things profitable in other books, the Psalms do both more briefly contain, and more movingly also express, by reason of that ! poetical form wherewith they are written. The ancients, when they speak of the Book of Psalms, use to fall into large discourses, shewing how this part above the rest doth of purpose set forth and celebrate all the considerations and operations which belong to God; it magnifieth the holy meditations and actions of divine.

men; it is of things heavenly an universal declaration, working in them whose hearts God inspireth with the due consideration thereof, an habit or disposition of mind whereby they are made fit vessels, both for receipt and for delivery of whatsoever spiritual perfection. What is there necessary for man to know, which the Psalms are not able to teach? They are to beginners an easy and familiar introduction, a mighty augmentation of all virtue and knowledge in such as are entered before, a strong confirmation to the most perfect amongst others. Heroical magnanimity, exquisite justice, grave moderation, exact wisdom, repentance unfeigned, unwearied patience, the mysteries of God, the sufferings of Christ, the terrors of wrath, the comforts of grace, the works of Providence over this world, and the promised joys of that world which is to come, all good necessarily to be either known, or done, or had, this one celestial fountain yieldeth. Let there be any grief or disease incident unto the soul of man, any wound or sickness named, for which there is not in this treasure-house a present comfortable remedy at all times ready to be found.

covet to make the Psalms

This is the very cause why

Hereof it is, that we especially familiar unto all. we iterate the Psalms oftener than any other part of Scripture besides; the cause wherefore we inure the people together with their minister, and not the minister alone, to read them, as other parts of Scripture he doth."

CAMBRIDGE,

May 24, 1842.