« | Psalm 113 | » |
1 [Prayse ye the Lorde.] Prayse God ye seruauntes: prayse ye the name of God.
2 Blessed be the name of God: from this time foorth for euermore.
3 The name of God is to be praysed: from the rising vp of the sunne, vnto the goyng downe of the same.
4 God is high aboue all Heathen: and his glory aboue the heauens.
5 Who is like vnto God our Lord that dwelleth on hygh aboue all:
6 (113:5) and yet humbleth him selfe to beholde the thinges that are in heauen and in earth?
7 (113:6) He rayseth vp the simple out of the dust: and lyfteth vp the poore from the dounghyll.
8 (113:7) For to make him sit with the princes: euen with the princes of his people.
9 (113:8) He maketh the barren woman to kepe house: and to be a ioyful mother of children. Prayse ye the Lorde.
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.