12 February 2019

Word of the Day: Alphabetic Psalms

Fr Hardon is not quite correct when he says 'This feature is not discernible in vernacular translations....' Msgr Knox translated the Alphabetic Psalms alphabetically, as can been seen here, Psalm 118.
✠✠JMJ✠✠
ALPHABETIC PSALMS. So called because their verses, in sequence or in parallel series, begin with the successive letters of the alphabet. The best known is Psalm 118, which begins each of its twenty-two stanzas (each of eight verses) with a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Lamentations of Jeremiah are another example of alphabetic arrangement in Hebrew poetry. This feature is not discernible in vernacular translations except that the Hebrew letter name precedes each verse. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comments are subject to deletion if they are not germane. I have no problem with a bit of colourful language, but blasphemy or depraved profanity will not be allowed. Attacks on the Catholic Faith will not be tolerated. Comments will be deleted that are republican (Yanks! Note the lower case 'r'!), attacks on the legitimacy of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ (I know he's a material heretic and a Protector of Perverts, and I definitely want him gone yesterday! However, he is Pope, and I pray for him every day.), the legitimacy of the House of Windsor or of the claims of the Elder Line of the House of France, or attacks on the legitimacy of any of the currently ruling Houses of Europe.