« | Psalm 111 | » |
1 [Prayse ye the Lorde.] I wyll prayse God with my whole heart: in the congregation and assemblie of righteous men.
2 Great are the workes of God: sought out of all them that haue pleasure therin.
3 His worke is glory and maiestie: and his righteousnes endureth for euer.
4 The merciful and gratious God: hath so left a remembraunce of his meruaylous workes.
5 He hath geuen meate vnto them that feare him: he wyll euer be myndfull of his couenaunt.
6 He hath declared vnto his people the force of his workes: in geuing them the inheritaunce of the Heathen.
7 The workes of his handes are veritie and iudgement: all his commaundementes are true.
8 They be set sure for euer and euer: they are done in trueth and equitie.
9 He did sende redemption vnto his people: he hath commaunded his couenaunt [to be] for euer, holy and terrible is his name.
10 The beginning of wysdome is the feare of God: all they haue a good vnderstanding that do his commaundements, the praise of it endureth for euer.
The Bishop’s Bible (BB)
The Bishop’s Bible (BB) is a significant English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1568 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was commissioned by the Church of England as a revision of the Great Bible and as a response to the Geneva Bible, which was popular among the Puritans but contained marginal notes that were considered politically and theologically contentious by the Anglican establishment. The primary goal of the Bishop’ s Bible was to create a translation that would be more acceptable to the ecclesiastical authorities and suitable for use in Anglican churches.
One of the distinguishing features of the Bishop’s Bible is its effort to maintain a high level of accuracy and scholarly integrity while also ensuring that the language used was dignified and appropriate for public reading. The translation was undertaken by a team of bishops and other scholars, hence its name. The translators aimed to preserve the poetic and literary qualities of the original texts, drawing on previous translations such as the Tyndale Bible, the Coverdale Bible, and the Great Bible, while also incorporating their scholarly insights and linguistic refinements.
The Bishop’s Bible was notable for its large, folio format, which was designed to be read from the pulpit. It included extensive marginal notes, though these were more restrained and less controversial than those found in the Geneva Bible. The translation also featured elaborate illustrations and maps, as well as a comprehensive introduction and various prefaces that provided context and guidance for readers. Despite its grandeur and scholarly merit, the Bishop’s Bible did not achieve the widespread popularity of the Geneva Bible among the general populace.