« | Psalm 124 | » |
1 [A song of high degrees, of Dauid.] If God him selfe had not ben of our side Israel may now say:
2 (124:1) if God him self had not ben of our side when men rose vp against vs,
3 (124:2) Then they had swalowed vs vp quicke: when their wrath was so inflamed against vs.
4 (124:3) Then the waters had drowned vs: the running streame had flowed ouer our soule.
5 (124:4) Then the waters of the proude: had flowed ouer our soule.
6 (124:5) But blessed be God, whiche hath not geuen vs ouer for a pray vnto their teeth.
7 (124:6) Our soule is escaped, euen as a byrde out of the snare of the fouler: the snare is broken, and we be escaped.
8 (124:7) Our helpe is in the name of God: who hath made heauen and earth.
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.