The Book of the Pscents. A new Translation, with a
Commentary. By the Rev. T. K. Cheyne. (Kogan Paul, Trench, and Co.)— Professor Cheyne's attitude with retard to the authorship of the Psalms is well known. To him they are not Psalms of David, though not unfrequently written with a reference to David. If this be so, they are often sadly shorn of their meaning and interest. They become academical exercises, instead of being expressions of personal feeling. Psalm ci., for instance, has been regarded as expressing the resolve of David to be a righteous ruler, a resolve probably made before, but still in a, near view of the possession of power. What could be more interesting, especially when we contrast his performance with his promise ? According to Professor Cheyne's view, it becomes "a description
of the ideal character of an Israelitish ruler, dramatically put into such a ruler's mouth." The loss of interest is very great. Of course, if there is good reason for the change of view, it must be accepted. But it is not sufficient to say that "both tone of thought and cast of expression betray the influence of the Book of Proverbs." Apart from these questions of the "higher criti- cism," which have been discussed elsewhere, the volume before us will have an interest and value for all Biblical students. A translation by one competent scholar who has taste and a feeling for rhythm will have advantages over the work of the most learned Company of Revisers. Such a Company, as Professor Cheyne truly observes, has "neither individuality nor independence." The notes are remarkable both for compression and clearness. This very brief notice must be considered as being the mere men- tion of a work to which it is not possible to accord an adequate treatment. Such treatment would transcend all possible limits of space and time ; and Dr. Cheyne's volume has already waited too long.
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