The Bay Psalm Book

First printed in 1640 in Cambridge, MA just 20 years after the Pilgrim’s arrived in PlymouthFirst printed in 1640 in Cambridge, MA just 20 years after the Pilgrim’s arrived in Plymouth First book printed in the New WorldFirst book printed in the New World Originally titled The Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English MetreOriginally titled The Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English Metre Remained in use for well over a centuryRemained in use for well over a century One of eleven known surviving copies of the first edition sold at auction in November 2013 for $14.2 million, a record for a printed book.One of eleven known surviving copies of the first edition sold at auction in November 2013 for $14.2 million, a record for a printed book.

The Bay Psalm Book Puritans sang only Psalms in their churches. Needed English translations from Hebrew.Puritans sang only Psalms in their churches. Needed English translations from Hebrew. Believed English translations already in use had taken too many liberties with the original wording.Believed English translations already in use had taken too many liberties with the original wording. Exact authorship is uncertainExact authorship is uncertain Authorized 30 of their respected ministers to translate into English verse suitable for singing.Authorized 30 of their respected ministers to translate into English verse suitable for singing. Literal renderingsLiteral renderings Add only rhyme and meterAdd only rhyme and meter No embellishmentsNo embellishments “God’s altar needs not our polishings.”“God’s altar needs not our polishings.”

Hymns Common meterCommon meter Lines of 8, 6, 8, 6 syllablesLines of 8, 6, 8, 6 syllables Long meterLong meter Lines of 8, 8, 8, 8 syllablesLines of 8, 8, 8, 8 syllables Short meterShort meter Lines of 6, 6, 8, 6 syllablesLines of 6, 6, 8, 6 syllables

Psalm 23 comparison Bay Psalm The Lord to me a shepherd is, Want therefore shall not I. Want therefore shall not I. He in the folds of tender grass, Doth cause me down to lie; Doth cause me down to lie; To waters calm me gently leads Restore my soul doth He; Restore my soul doth He; He doth in paths of righteousness: For His name’s sake lead me. For His name’s sake lead me. Yea though in valley of death’s shade I walk, none ill I’ll fear: I walk, none ill I’ll fear: Because Thou art with me, Thy rod, And staff comfort are. And staff comfort are. Geneva Bible The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to rest in green pasture and leadeth me by the still waters. He restoresh my soul, and leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I should walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. I will fear no evil; for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23 comparison Bay Psalm The Lord to me a shepherd is, Want therefore shall not I. Want therefore shall not I. He in the folds of tender grass, Doth cause me down to lie; Doth cause me down to lie; To waters calm me gently leads Restore my soul doth He; Restore my soul doth He; He doth in paths of righteousness: For His name’s sake lead me. For His name’s sake lead me. Yea though in valley of death’s shade I walk, none ill I’ll fear: I walk, none ill I’ll fear: Because Thou art with me, Thy rod, And staff comfort are. And staff comfort are. King James The is my shepherd; I shall not want. The L ORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Sotheby’s sale videoSotheby’s sale video Presentation of Psalm 23 from Bay Psalm BookPresentation of Psalm 23 from Bay Psalm Book