THE PSALTER.* The first and second of the " Six
English Versions " here exhibited in parallel columns are Coverdale (1535) and the Great Bible (1539), otherwise known as " Cromwell's Bible.' Coverdale had much to do with the latter, being employed by Cromwell and afterwards by Cranmer in the work of revision. An edition, with a preface by Cranmer, appeared in 1540 ; two more followed in that year, and three in 1541, Coverdale having been busy with all. From these two we get the Prayer Book Psalter, which is practically Coverdale's work. Then we have (3) the Geneva Version, made by the Protestant exiles who found a refuge in that city during Mary's reign ; (4) the Bishop's Bible, executed under the auspices of Archbishop Parker, the Psalter being the work of one " T. B.," who is variously identified with Thomas Becon and Thomas Bickley ; (5) the Authorised Version (1611); and (6) the Revised Version (1885). Mr. Wright completes his work by giving an appendix in which we have first the marginal read. ings where they exist (the Great Bible not having any), and secondly, the variations found in successive editions of 1-4. Any comparison of the merits of the six is, of course, impos- sible to us. Interesting examples may, however, be given. One is to be found in Psalm lxv. 9. In the Prayer Book, where it is divided into two verses, it stands: " Thou visitest the earth and blessest it : Thou makest it very plenteous. The river of God is full of water ; Thou preparest their corn, for so Thou provident for the earth." The variation of I-4 are of little consequence ; they all give the general sense of a Divine
• The Hexaplar Psalter : The Book of Nature in Six English 'Versions. Edited by WW1= Allis Wright, X.A. Cambridge :-• at the. University Press. [25s. net.]
provision of food. The Authorised is ambiguous, the second part standing thus: " Thon preparest them corn, when Thou bast so provided for it" ; but the Revised brings out clearly the meaning : " Thou providest them corn, where Thou bast so prepared the earth." This preparation of the earth is the subject of the next verse, watering the furrow, settling or lowering the ridges, softening the soil, and blessing the springing. An example of wide diversity of meaning is to be found in lxviii. 80. Here the Prayer Book has, " When the company of the spearmen are scattered abroad among the beasts of the people so that they humbly bring pieces of silver." The Authorised has " Rebuke the company of the spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver" ; while the Revised has for the first clause " Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds," has the second the same, and for the third "trampling under foot the pieces of silver." It will be seen what an interesting field of study Mr. Wright has thrown open.
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