Psalter Sale to Yield Millions for Church Work

[Jerome]

1640 Psalm Book Could Fetch $30M at NYC Auction

A tiny book of psalms from 1640 — believed to be the first book ever printed in what is now the United States — is poised to set an auction record for a printed book on Tuesday. The Bay Psalm Book going on the auction block at Sotheby's has a pre-sale estimate of $15 million to $30 million.

Only 11 copies of the Bay Psalm Book survive in varying degrees of completeness. The one being offered at Sotheby's is one of two owned by Boston's Old South Church, which voted to sell it to increase its grants and ministries. "It's a spectacular book, arguably one of the most important books in this nation's history," the Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister

 

[Deacon]

The book was supposed to be a faithful translation into English of the original Hebrew psalms — puritans believed selected paraphrases would compromise their salvation.

I'd be interested to know whether this statement could be historically verified.

Rob



P.S.
Bay Psalm Book facsimile [link]

There's a great introduction which includes a history of the acceptable puritan bible in this edition!

Psalm XXIV.
[SIZE=-1]A PSALM OF DAVID.[/SIZE]​

T[SIZE=-1]HE EARTH[/SIZE] Iehovah’s is, and the fulness of it: the habitable world, and they that there upon do sit.2 Because upon the seas, he hath it firmly laid: and it upon the water-floods most solidly hath staid.3 The mountain of the Lord, who shall thereto ascend? and in his place of holiness who is it that shall stand?4 The clean in hands, and pure in heart; to vanity who hath not lifted up his soul, nor sworn deceitfully.5 From God he shall receive a benediction, and righteousness from the strong-God of his salvation.6 This is the progeny of them that seek thy face: of them that do inquire for him: of Iacob ’tis the race. Selah.7 Ye gates lift-up your heads, and doors everlasting, be ye lift up: and there into shall come the glorious-King.8 Who is this glorious-King? Iehovah, puissant, and valiant, Iehovah is in battle valiant.9 Ye gates lift-up your heads, and doors everlasting, do ye lift-up: and there into shall come the glorious-King.10 Who is this glorious-King? lo, it is Iehovah of warlike armies, he the King of glory is; Selah.​

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[Jerome]

Financier David Rubenstein picked it up for $14,165,000:

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2013/the-bay-psalm-book-sale-n09039.html#&i=0

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/1640-psalm-book-fetch-30m-nyc-auction-21016520

 

[Deacon]

My devotions have been in the Bay Psalter recently.

I'm really enjoying it.

Psalm 21:2
(NIV) You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

(ESV) You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

(AV 1873) Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, And hast not withholden the request of his lips.

(NLT) For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.

(HCSB) You have given him his heart’s desire and have not denied the request of his lips.

(Bay Psalter) Thou of his heart to him hast granted the desire: and thou hast not witholden back, what his lips did require.

Rob

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

I bet if it was sold on the show pawn stars they'd get like 75 bucks for it....

 

[Deacon]

For those of you that use Logos Bible Software, I've created a personal book of the Bay Psalmes in Metre 1640

It can be found on the Logos forum website under "Files".

Rob