The book of psalms is a collection of songs and poems found in the old testament. Jan 29, 2017 the bay psalm book was initiated as an attempt to be a faithful translation liberated from poetic dilution, however it did not focus on improving the singing of the congregation. It was the first book printed in british north america. This book, with which the pilgrims literally sang their praises to god, presents a translation of the psalms from hebrew, transposed into metrical. Join david redden director, special projects, and selby kiffer senior specialist, special. I shall not want 2 he maketh me to lie down in green pastures. Some are private prayers, and some are lyrical devices for recalling historical events in israels history. Psalm 23 and the bay psalm book posted on december 3, 2012 by shauna v the bay psalm book is a key artifact in understanding the beliefs and practices of pilgrims, and the importance of music therein. The bay psalm book was the first book to be printed in north america, twenty years after the arrival of the pilgrims in massachusetts. Im bummed because i thought it would be interesting to look at psalm 23 from two different people and.
In context, david is comparing himself to a sheep in gods flock. Nov 15, 20 as the first printed book in america, the bay psalm book was an early harbinger of american independence. Psalm 23 esv the lord is my shepherd bible gateway. The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english. With it, new england declared its independence from the church of england. The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into. The 1640 cambridge, massachusetts, whole booke of psalmes, or bay psalm book. Travel to the green pastures and still waters of psalm 23 it will mean so much more once youve read this inspirational classic from a reallife shepherd. The translations are not particularly polished, and not one has remained in use, although some of the tunes to which they were sung have survived for instance, old 100th. Not only is the text in the public domain, the book can be viewed in pdf form.
Page by page, keller reveals new facets of the shepherd of psalm 23 and his tireless, devoted care of his sheep. Publication date 1903 topics bible, psalters, hymns, english publisher new york. When one considers the difficulties of mere existence during this time, a mere 20 years after the first arrivals in plymouth in 1620, the magnitude of the effort and. Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse, in the king james version, the lord is my shepherd. The bay psalm book is a religious and cultural manifesto of the puritan fathers and a towering icon of the founding of the united states. In the greek septuagint version of the bible, and in its latin translation in the vulgate, this psalm is psalm 22 in a slightly different.
Psalm 23 niv bible the lord is my shepherd, i lack. The bay psalm book is a metrical psalter, first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. The first book written and printed in the new world, the bay psalm book holds a unique place in our cultural and religious history. Apr 12, 2014 for psalm 23 as with the other psalms, the bay psalm book just prints the tune in this case, canterbury with playfords bass line, but in fact, playfords setting is for four voices, and that. These people understood sickness and death and uncertainty. This collection of psalm texts, rather than the bible itself, was the first volume published in the new world. The psalms in it are metrical translations into english. The 1700 copies of the first edition provided puritans with a plain and familiar translation designed to represent more faithfully the hebrew psalms than did the version used by the. From the bay psalm book psalms 47 clap hands, all people.
Today, only eleven copies are still in existence and fetch as much as fourteen million dollars at auction, making it also the most expensive book. The bay psalm book was the collaborative project of over twelve leading puritan divines and the first publishing venture of the massachusetts colony. In 1640, the bay psalm book was the first book to be printed in british north america, according to wikipedia. Psalm 23 king james version kjv 23 the lord is my shepherd.
A complete book of psalms in metered verse, it was the first book written and printed in colonial america. The bay psalm book 1 the lord to me a shepherd is, want therefore i shall not, he in the folds of tender grass doth make me down to lie to waters calm he gently leads restore my soul doth he he doth in paths of righteousness for his names sake lead me. A work written specifically for boys voices by featuring an extended alto range, bay psalm 23 offers cascading melodic lines and comforting harmonies that will delight audiences and performers alike. Some of the psalms in the book of psalms are hymns to be sung by a congregation, and songs of ascent to be sung by pilgrims approaching the temple.
Mar 27, 2020 in 1640, the bay psalm book was the first book to be printed in british north america, according to wikipedia. The bay psalm book, in its later editions with the addition of tunes, gave rise to the issue of participation in church singing, which in turn allowed harvardtrained reformers to step in. As the first printed book in america, the bay psalm book was an early harbinger of american independence. Its been thirty five years and two million copies since w.
The book is a metrical psalter, first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. Psalm 23 bay psalm book, 1698, by john playford 16231686. Written by richard mather, john eliot, and thomas weld, it was published in 1640 at cambridge as the whole book of psalms faithfully translated into english metre. The psalm book, written and printed by the puritans of massachusetts bay colony in 1640, was designed to allow a whole congregation to sing psalms together in church and at home.
For psalm 23 as with the other psalms, the bay psalm book just prints the tune in this case, canterbury with playfords bass line. But because we all know it, we often breeze through the psalm without slowing down long enough to rest in the assurance it offers. The psaltery was soon in widespread use on both sides of the atlantic. Bay psalm 23, the first work in the bay psalms set, is a delicate reflection on one of the most beloved psalms of all time coupled with a repeating mantra of the word alleluia. Bay psalm book by richard mather 2011, paperback for sale. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. Prepared for the new england society in the city of new york. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. The main thing you need to know right now about the bay psalm book is that a copy of it is up for public sale for the first time since 1947. The bay psalm book the first book printed in america is. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. The bay psalm book, printed just twenty years after the pilgrims arrival. Pdf a shepherd looks at psalm 23 download read online. To the chief musician, a psalm of david 1 the heavens do declare the majesty of god.
Psalm 23 bay psalm book scriptures good books free beta. The bay psalm book, as it has come to be known, consists of a substantial introduction summarizing the creators philosophy and intentions, followed by translations of the psalms rendered into meter, enabling them to be sung to wellknown tunes of the day. Psalm 23 bay psalm book, 1698, by john playford 1623. Today, only eleven copies are still in existence and fetch as much as fourteen million dollars at auction, making it also the most expensive book in the world. The book is considered to have been the work of christian reformers seeking a. It is worth noting that the bay psalm books translations of psalms 19, 23, and 107 are anthologized in the library of americas volume of american poetry. Preface to the 1640 bay psalm book the singing of psalms, though it breath forth nothing but holy harmony, and melody. Pairing keller s sublime reflections with the new international version, this edition sheds light for a new generation of readers on the nature and ways of sheepand of the good shepherd who cares. Bay psalm book, common hymnal of the massachusetts bay colony.
He guides me along the right paths for his names sake. The bay psalm book is a metrical psalter first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. Mar 14, 2020 bay psalm book last updated march 14, 2020 title page of the copy of the bay psalm book held by the beinecke rare book and manuscript library. The bay psalm book 1640 and the new england primer 1683. For psalm 23 as with the other psalms, the bay psalm book just prints the tune in this case, canterbury with playfords bass line, but in fact. The bay psalm book, as this work is commonly known, is the first book printed in british north america. Richard mather and a group of his fellow new england clergy transcribed biblical psalms into metered verse. O god, our sovereign and shepherd, who brought again your son jesus christ. Bay psalm book to jonathan edwards study guide by ilovesdk25 includes 52 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Het bay psalm book is een psalter dat in 1640 gedrukt werd in cambridge massachusetts.
A work written specifically for boys voices by featuring an extended alto range, bay psalm 23 offers cascading melodic lines and comforting harmonies that. A london printer, stephen daye, came with the press and established a printing office in cambridge. Link to an online text of the preface of the bay psalm book is here link to a performance of psalm 23 and psalm 100 from the bay psalm book is here. Dec 03, 2012 the bay psalm book is a key artifact in understanding the beliefs and practices of pilgrims, and the importance of music therein. From the bestselling jesus storybook bible, with over three million products sold, comes found based on psalm 23. Psalm 150 praise ye the lord satb jan 1, 1964 sheet music. Psalm 23 and the bay psalm book the music that shaped.
A shepherd looks at psalm 23 unabridged audio book on cd. Heath anthology of american literaturethe bay psalm book. Even though i walk through the darkest valley, i will fear no evil, for you are with me. The reverend jesse glover imported the first printing press to the massachusetts bay colony in 1638, some 18 years after the first english settlers landed at plymouth rock. In this 6part series on psalm 23, pastor matt chandler. Bay psalm book wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. The book of psalms is the third section of the hebrew bible, and a book of the christian old testament.
The bay psalm book common metre tunes 1 the lord to me a shepherd is, want therefore i shall not, he in the folds of tender grass doth. Preface to the 1640 bay psalm book reformed theology at. Neither cottons essay nor the poems have been attended to by modern critics. A committee of thirty learned elders, including john cotton, richard mather, and john eliot, set about the task of creating a new translation of the 150 hebrew psalms into english and casting the text into verse for singing. The translations are not particularly polished, and not one has remained in use, although some of the tunes to which they were sung. The preface to the bay psalm book is a remarkable statement of purpose. In episode 24, we will be discussing the bay psalm book, widely regarded as the first book printed in british north america in 1640. The bay psalm book, as it is known, is essentially sacred text to be sung during the liturgy. The bay psalm book, in its later editions with the addition of tunes, gave rise to the issue of participation in church singing, which in turn allowed harvardtrained reformers to step in and. The bay psalm book is a key artifact in understanding the beliefs and practices of pilgrims, and the importance of music therein. Yea though in valley of deaths shade i walk none ill ill fear. Ropers look at psalm 23 is nothing new, it is like reading the same exact this is the first book i have abandoned in quite awhile.
It was both the first book printed in the colonies and it was also the first book entirely written in the colonies. A shepherd looks at psalm 23, mass market edition 9780310274414 by w. Even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil, for you are with me. What you need to know about the bay psalm book christianity. Nov 27, 20 the bay psalm book visited houstons bayou bend in september for a oneday exhibition. Drawing from his experience, keller walks you verse by verse through this beloved portion of scripture, offering unique insights into the love our good shepherd bestows upon us.
Its a translation of the old testament book of psalms, valuable for its rarity and because it was printed in 1640, the first englishlanguage book printed in america. Bay psalm book was not only the first book printed in america, and the first book written in america. Mar 03, 20 psalm 23 is, perhaps, one of the bestknown passages in scripture, and, like many familiar texts, we often pass over beautiful nuggets of truth because weve heard the words so often. Psalm 23 bay psalm book scriptures good books free. Phillip keller gave us a shepherd looks at psalm 23, and it continues to encourage and inspire christians with its classic insights into the heart of the good shepherd, jesus christ. The bay psalm book 1 the lord to me a shepherd is, want therefore i shall not, he in the folds of tender grass doth make me down to lie.
Link to the world digital library entry for the bay psalm book is here. This little book of 1640 was precursor to lexington and concord, and, ultimately, to american political independence. The founders of the massachusetts bay colony came to the new world seeking religious freedom, and their first publication was a hymnal. In these pages you will discover an uplifting expression of christs love for those that trust him as their protector, guide, provider and faithful keeper.
The bay psalm book is a very important piece of history. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my. Written by sally lloydjones and illustrated by jago, little ones will fall in love with this padded cover board book that reminds them of gods never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. It is worth noting that the bay psalm book s translations of psalms 19, 23, and 107 are anthologized in the library of americas volume of american poetry. The book of psalms was known as the hymn book of israel. But im pretty sure its value to the original users was beyond money.
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