Rochester Institute of Technology Leaf 10
This mid-thirteenth century German psalter has acquired the nickname "The Laughing Carp Psalter" due to its penwork illustrations. The decorative style involves using fish (one of the leading medieval symbols for Christ) to complete lines of text that do not reach to the right margin of the page; this maintains the aesthetic of a full page within the borders of the leaf. The leaf itself measures 19.5 x 14cm, with slightly yellowed and stained vellum, and is lined in ink. The ink used for the bulk of the text is very dark, but fades into brown in places. Blue, red, coral, orange, and white are used in the decoration, and scribal corrections are included above each line where necessary. See Denison University Leaf 10 for more information about this manuscript.
Text: Psalms 118:13-22 (verso). A scan of the recto is not currently available, but it likely contained Psalms 118:3-12.
Reconstruction Note! In Ege's original psalter, this leaf followed what is now Leaf 10 in the Ohio State University portfolio. The latter, in turn, followed what is now Leaf 10 in the University of Saskatchewan portfolio. Placed back in sequence, the three leaves contain the text of Psalms 115:4 to 118:22.
Rochester Institute of Technology Leaf 10 Verso
Rochester Leaf 10 Verso Transcription
In lábiis meis pronuntiávi ómnia judícia oris tui.
In via testimoniórum tuórum delectátus sum, sicut in ómnibus divítiis.
In mandátis tuis exercébor, et considerábo vias tuas.
In justificatiónibus tuis meditábor: non oblivíscar sermónes tuos.
Retríbue servo tuo, vivífica me, et custódiam sermónes tuos.
Revéla óculos meos, et considerábo mirabília de lege tua.
Íncola ego sum in terra: non abscóndas a me mandáta tua.
Concupívit ánima mea desideráre justificatiónes tuas in omni témpore.
Increpásti supérbos; maledícti qui declínant a mandátis tuis.
Aufer a me oppróbrium et contémptum, quia testimónia tua exquisívi.
Rochester Leaf 10 Verso Translation
[Psalms 118:13-22]
13 With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways. 16 I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words. 17 Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words. 18 Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies.