The Abbreviated Psalter of the Venerable Bede [Hardcover]

Gerald M. Browne (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2001

The Venerable Bede (A.D. 673-735), a Benedictine monk best known for his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, also compiled one of the church's oldest and most inspiring devotional books, the Abbreviated Psalter. Now this classic work of Christian literature is available in this first accurate English translation.

Crafted for personal prayer and meditation, the Abbreviated Psalter consists of carefully condensed renderings of each of the Psalms. Focused as it is on the praise of God and on the essential spirituality of human existence, Bede's ancient book remains moving and relevant today. All persons of faith will find this little book a constant source of devotional strength.

This new edition of Bede's masterpiece is based on Gerald M. Browne's own critical edition of the Latin text, Collectio Psalterii Bedae Venerabili adscripta. Browne also includes an informative preface introducing Bede and his work. The convenient size of this attractive volume will allow Bede's Abbreviated Psalter to be readily at hand whenever there is need for its message of consolation and hope.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 68 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802839193
• ISBN-13: 978-0802839190
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,514,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting for liturgical history or devotions, May 29, 2002

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Abbreviated Psalter of the Venerable Bede (Hardcover)

This is a condensed version of the Psalms as editted by the Venerable Bede (c. 673-735). It is illustrated by plates of the Latin and translated well by a professor of Classics at the University of Illinois (Urbana). The translation is very readable.

The condensations may be as long 11 or 12 verses or a short as a phrase. Often they trigger a memory of the Psalm from which they come; this would be even more common among those who regularly pray the Psalms. Reading the condensations gives an overview of the Psalms as a whole, that is difficult to observe when reading the entire Psalter. This overview helps place the various psalms in their literary and theological context.

One oddity in Bede's abridgment; Psalm 50 not only prefigures Jesus but refers directly to him! The brief introduction explains this and the single line from Psalm 136 which in no way implies the well-known "By the waters of Babylon".

If you are interested in the early Church in England, liturgy, or a devotional version of the Psalms, this version is well worth exploring.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A message of comfort and hope, January 11, 2002

By 

dan acton (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Abbreviated Psalter of the Venerable Bede (Hardcover)

I puchased this book for my wife as a birthday present. Ironically I read it once she was done, based on her flowering recomendation. It was fantastic, well written, and inspirational. The pictures of the original texts are beutiful. I will read a page or two when ever I need a quick pick me up. In these times, thats probably going to be often.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice Historical Piece, January 11, 2009

By 

Dominic Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Abbreviated Psalter of the Venerable Bede (Hardcover)

The images of the original manuscript are wonderful.
A nice historical piece from the Early Church when England was still Orthodox.