« | Psalm 112 | » |
1 [Prayse ye the Lorde.] Blessed is the man that feareth God: he hath great delight in his commaundementes.
2 His seede shalbe mightie vpon the earth: the generation of them that dwell vprightly, shalbe blessed.
3 Riches and plenteousnes shalbe in his house: and his righteousnes endureth for euer.
4 There ariseth vp light in the darknes: vnto them that deale vprightly he is merciful, and louing, and righteous.
5 A good man is mercyfull and lendeth: he wyll guyde his wordes with discretion.
6 For he shalbe neuer moued: and the righteous shall be had in an euerlasting remembraunce.
7 He wyll not be afraide of any euyll tidinges: his heart is setled, he beleueth in God.
8 His heart is strengthened, he will not feare: vntyll he seeth [a mischiefe to fall] vpon his enemies.
9 He hath distributed abrode, he hath geuen to the poore: his righteousnes remayneth for euer, his horne shalbe exalted with glory.
10 The vngodly shall see it, and it wyll greeue hym, he wyll gnashe with his teethe and consume away: the desire of the vngodly shall perishe.
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.