Case Western Reserve University Leaf 17
The vellum of this late-thirteenth century English psalter was once nearly white, but now appears dirty. The ink for the bulk of the text is brown, with blue, orange (or weak red), green, and white in the decorations. Gold and silver are both used, and the silver has tarnished. There are dragons, foliage, flowers, and pointed ivy as marginal decorations. Illuminated initials begin each verse, and bars are placed at the end of lines to complete them when the text is too short to fill them; these lines include both geometric designs and additional dragons. The leaf measures 17 x 11 cm. See Denison University Leaf 17 for more information about this manuscript.
Text: Psalms 55:12-56:7 (recto) and 56:7-57:5 (verso).
Reconstruction Note! In Ege's original manuscript, this leaf followed what is now Leaf 17 in the Cleveland Public Library portfolio; the Case Western leaf was in turn followed by what is now Leaf 17 in the Kenyon portfolio, and the latter was followed by what is now Leaf 17 in the Lima Public Library portfolio. Together the four leaves contain the text of Psalms 54:19-59:12.
Case Leaf 17 Recto
Case Western Reserve University Leaf 17 Recto
Case Leaf 17 Recto Transcription
[column A]
In me sunt, Deus, vota tua, quæ reddam, laudatiónes tibi:
Quóniam eripuísti ánimam meam de morte, et pedes meos de lapsu, ut pláceam coram Deo in lúmine vivéntium.
Miserére mei, Deus, miserére mei, quóniam in te confídit ánima mea.
Et in umbra alárum tuárum sperábo, donec tránseat iníquitas.
Clamábo ad Deum altíssimum, Deum qui benefécit mihi.
[column B]
Misit de cælo, et liberávit me; dedit in oppróbrium conculcántes me.
Misit Deus misericórdiam suam et veritátem suam, et erípuit ánimam meam de médio catulórum leónum. Dormívi conturbátus.
Fílii hóminum dentes eórum arma et sagíttæ, et lingua eórum gládius acútus.
Exaltáre super cælos, Deus, et in omnem terram glória tua.
Láqueum paravérunt pédibus meis, et incurvavérunt
Case Leaf 17 Recto Translation
[Psalms 55:12-56:7]
12 In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee: 13 Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living.
2 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away. 3 I will cry to God the most High; to God who hath done good to me. 4 He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. God hath sent his mercy and his truth, 5 and he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions. I slept troubled. The sons of men, whose teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 6 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. 7 They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down...
Case Leaf 17 Verso
Case Western Reserve University Leaf 17 Verso
Case Leaf 17 Verso Transcription
[column A]
ánimam meam.
Fodérunt ante fáciem meam fóveam, et incidérunt in eam.
Parátum cor meum, Deus, parátum cor meum; cantábo, et psalmum dicam.
Exsúrge, glória mea; exsúrge, psaltérium et cíthara: exsúrgam dilúculo.
Confitébor tibi in pópulis, Dómine, et psalmum dicam tibi in géntibus:
Quóniam magnificáta est usque ad cælos misericórdia tua, et usque ad
[column B]
nubes véritas tua.
Exaltáre super cælos, Deus, et super omnem terram glória tua. Qui in te confidet anima mea.
Si vere útique justítiam loquímini, recta judicáte, fílii hóminum.
Étenim in corde iniquitátes operámini; in terra injustítias manus vestræ concínnant.
Alienáti sunt peccatóres a vulva; erravérunt ab útero: locúti sunt falsa.
Furor illis secúndum
Case Leaf 17 Verso Translation
[Psalms 56:7-57:5]
...my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it. 8 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing, and rehearse a psalm. 9 Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise early. 10 I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations. 11 For thy mercy is magnified even to the heavens: and thy truth unto the clouds. 12 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.
[one line untranslated]
2 If in very deed you speak justice: judge right things, ye sons of men. 3 For in your heart you work iniquity: your hands forge injustice in the earth. 4 The wicked are alienated from the womb; they have gone astray from the womb: they have spoken false things. 5 Their madness is according to the likeness...