Principally written by john eliot, thomas welde, and richard mather, these psalms transitioned from a literal translation to a more aesthetically pleasing metered version. The bay psalm book the first book printed in america is. This was the first book published in the colonies and was commonly known as the bay psalm book because it was published by stephen day of cambridge, massachusetts, then known as the massachusetts bay colony. The new psalm book was adopted at once by nearly every congregation in the colony of massachusetts bay, and for that reason it came to be known as the bay psalm book. The puritan divines of the massachusetts bay colony set out to produce a translation from the hebrew that was reflective of their unique brand of calvinism and more literal than the most popular psalter. The translations are not particularly polished, and not one has remained in use, although some of the tunes to which they were sung have survived.
I have a book about the ainsworth psalter, but i would love to get an actual copy. The first book printed in what later became the united states of america is expected to set a world record at auction on tuesday. The mystique of the bay psalm book rare books, book. The original title was the whole booke of psalms faithfully translated into english metre.
The main thing you need to know right now about the bay psalm book is that a copy of it is up for public sale for the first time since 1947. That title highlights the puritan desire for a psalm book that clearly reflected the original hebrew poetry of the psalms. In recent years, a new generation of scholars has returned to the book, seeing it from fresh perspectivesas a social document, for example, and as a physical artifact of early american life in the massachusetts bay area. The psalms in it are metrical translations into english. Census of copies of the bay psalm book, with provenance, sale. Together, they served to disseminate puritan values for over a hundred years. The first book published in english north america, the 1640 bay psalm book was used for worship by the puritans of massachusetts bay, who prohibited any singing in church other than songs drawn from the bible. After publishing the bay psalm book, elizabeth and daye published a 1641 almanac, a catechism prayer, and a set of massachusetts laws. Bay psalm book, byname of the whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre, 1640, perhaps the oldest book now in existence that was published in british north america. The bay psalm book in 17thcentury new england jstor. Today, only eleven copies are still in existence and fetch as much as fourteen million dollars at auction, making it also the most expensive book in the world. Bay psalm book, byname of the whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre, 1640, perhaps the oldest book now in.
The 1640 edition of the bay psalm book is the earliest surviving product of the dayes press, and was immediately adopted by nearly every congregation in massachusetts bay hence the volumes familiar name. The whole booke of psalmes universally known as the bay psalm book was produced in the virtual wilderness of massachusetts bay colony by the congregationalist puritans who left england in search of religious freedom. The 1640 cambridge, massachusetts, whole booke of psalmes, or bay psalm book. The bay psalm book played a central role in both public services and domestic devotions for over a century, since puritans. Although approximately thirty clergymen contributed to the book, richard mather, john eliot, and thomas welde were its primary authors. Printed in cambridge, massachusetts, on a press set up by stephen day, it included a dissertation on the lawfulness and. The bay psalm book 1640 and the new england primer 1683. A revised and enlarged edition, under the title of the psalms hymns and spiritual songs of the old and.
Besides its significance as a religious treatise, spiritual guide, and historical document, the bay psalm book is also recognized as an important milestone in the evolution of the american musical tradition. Bay psalme book article about bay psalme book by the. The bay psalm book was the first book to be printed in north america, twenty years after the arrival of the pilgrims in massachusetts. If youve ever dug into the puritans in any manner, youve come across something called the bay psalm book. Written by richard mather mather, richard, 15961669, british puritan clergyman in north america, b. Census of copies of the bay psalm book, with provenance. The first bible published in the british colonies 1663. But after elizabeths death in 1643 and dayes retirement. It was prepared by puritan leaders of the massachusetts bay colony.
The bay psalm book was intended as a utilitarian book for the common people in a way that the gutenberg bible surely was not, and copies. The psalm book, written and printed by the puritans of massachusetts bay colony in 1640, was designed to allow a whole congregation to sing psalms together in church and at home. Dec 11, 2012 the main thing you need to know right now about the bay psalm book is that a copy of it is up for public sale for the first time since 1947. I have a republished copy of the bay psalm book and hope to add the ainsworth psalter to my library one day. Three hundred and seventythree years ago, when the chief puritan divines of the young massachusetts bay colony printed their own translation of the bibles book of psalms, they prided. Bay psalme book article about bay psalme book by the free.
Heath anthology of american literaturethe bay psalm book. The first book ever printed in what became the usa is now the worlds most expensive printed book. Sep 04, 2017 after publishing the bay psalm book, elizabeth and daye published a 1641 almanac, a catechism prayer, and a set of massachusetts laws. The congregationalist puritans who emigrated to massachusetts bay in search of religious freedom quickly set about to translate and produce a version of the book of psalms that was a closer paraphrase of. That would break records and make it the worlds most expensive printed book. A noteworthy feature of the bay psalm book was the use of the divine name in some verses. Beginning of the american story the bay psalm book youtube.
The first book printed in british north america, 1640 haraszti, zoltan on. Bay psalm book project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The original calf binding, with traces of two clasps, is present. Bay psalm book, common hymnal of the massachusetts bay colony. According to reports, the bay psalm book was printed by puritan leaders of the massachusetts bay colony, hence its title, 20 years after the pilgrims landed at plymouth rock. Media in category bay psalm book the following 14 files are in this category, out of 14 total. However, its production, just 20 years after the pilgrims arrival at plymouth, massachusetts, represents a considerable achievement. Q2r from the bay psalm book remaining at the old south church. The bay psalm book was the collaborative project of over twelve leading puritan divines and the first publishing venture of the massachusetts colony. The new paraphrase was so influential that it was first reprinted in 1647 in england. The only copy i have ever seen was an antiquarian copy at plimouth plantation in massachusetts. The first edition of the bay psalm book was one of the first books ever printed in the colonies and was a starting point in the forming of the puritan colony. Old south church in boston owns 2 of the 11 firstedition copies of the bay psalm book, printed in 1640, still known to exist.
In 1640, three ministers published the first book in the american colonies. For decades, this book set the tone for communal devotion. A new poetical translation of the psalms, intended to express the hebrew original, was made by the leading scholars and. The bay psalm book is a religious and cultural manifesto of the puritan fathers and a towering icon of the founding of the united states. The bay psalm book the first book printed in america. The reverend jesse glover imported the first printing press to the massachusetts bay colony in 1638, some 18 years after the first english settlers landed at plymouth rock. The founders of the massachusetts bay colony came to the new world seeking religious freedom, and their first publication was a hymnal. The bay psalm book is a simple thing, containing psalms translated from hebrew into english in massachusetts. Old south church in boston to sell rare psalmbook, stirring. The printed music in the bay psalm book, which did not come until the ninth edition 1698, was of european origin. Compiled by john eliot, richard mather, and thomas weld, and printed by stephen day at cambridge, massachusetts in 1640, it was intended to give a more literal translation of the hebrew psalms than that of the king james version. The book is a metrical psalter, first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts.
The bay psalm book and the new england primer were, next to the bible, the most commonly owned books in seventeenthcentury new england. The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english. It was a text of psalms in rhyme, translated from hebrew, without musical notation because almost no one was musically literate. Q2r from the bay psalm book remaining at the old south church, showing the unique reading in psalm 69, verse 23 see page 39. In addition to containing psalms, there was a discourse on lawfullness. The bay psalm book, as it is known, is essentially sacred text to be sung during the liturgy. Bay psalm book, cambridge, 1640 the bay psalm book was the first book printed in british north america. The digital bay psalm book gives scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike a rich and intimate experience of the book. He studied at oxford, began preaching, and was ordained in 1620. The bay psalm book, as this work is commonly known, is the first book printed in british north america. Nov 27, 20 the first book ever printed in what became the usa is now the worlds most expensive printed book. The crazy story behind the first book published in the. The bay psalm book was the first book printed in british north america. In 1638, the first printing press was imported to the massachusetts bay colony and a group of local religious leadersincluding, it is thought.
That early publication contained the bible book of psalms, translated from hebrew into the english language as spoken and written at that time. The bay psalm book was published in 1640, more than a. Apr 12, 20 according to reports, the bay psalm book was printed by puritan leaders of the massachusetts bay colony, hence its title, 20 years after the pilgrims landed at plymouth rock. Editors of the bay psalm book most cited are john eliot and thomas weld, ministerial colleagues at first church roxbury, and richard mather, minister in dorchester and perhaps 27 other ministers not often mentioned. Adopted by nearly every congregation in the massachusetts bay colony, a revised and enlarged edition. It plans to sell one to raise money for renovations. The bay psalm book was the first book to be printed in north america, twenty years after the arrival of the pilgrim fathers in massachusetts. The psalm book, written and printed by the puritans of massachusetts bay colony in 1640, was designed to allow a whole congregation to sing psalms together. The bay psalm book is a metrical psalter, first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. The founders of the massachusetts bay colony came to the new world seeking religious freedom, and their first.
Dec 25, 2012 old south church in boston owns 2 of the 11 firstedition copies of the bay psalm book, printed in 1640, still known to exist. In 1629 the massachusetts bay company had obtained from king charles i a charter empowering the company to trade and colonize in new england between the. Book published in 1640 sets a record at auction the new. Its original edition was printed by stephen daye in the massachusetts bay colony during the year 1640. It was probably preceded by a small singlesheet production known as the oath of a freeman, of which no copy is extant. The bay psalm book 1640 the new england primer 1683. Massachusetts bay colony, one of the original english settlements in presentday massachusetts, settled in 1630 by a group of about 1,000 puritan refugees from england under gov. The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into.
A2r from the bay psalm book remaining at the old south church, showing thomas princes annotations of variant readings from the 1647 reprint edition. Written by richard mather mather, richard, 15961669, british puritan clergyman in north america, b explanation of bay psalme book. It was the first book printed in british north america. First printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts, the bay psalm book was the first book printed in colonialist america. The bay psalm book, formally titled the whole book of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre 1640, was the first book printed on angloamerican soil. The library of congress bay psalm book was the last copy remaining in private. Mar 19, 2020 massachusetts bay colony, one of the original english settlements in presentday massachusetts, settled in 1630 by a group of about 1,000 puritan refugees from england under gov. What you need to know about the bay psalm book christianity. Apr 17, 20 the 1640 edition of the bay psalm book is the earliest surviving print from the press, and was adopted by nearly every congregation in the massachusetts bay area.
The first book published in the british colonies 1640. It holds the distinction of being the first book printed in america colonial america and has a bit of an interesting story, including being the highest selling book ever at auction. Bay psalm book article about bay psalm book by the free. The bay psalm book was published in 1640, more than a century. This site contains 4 images of the original work with brief background info. Printed in cambridge, massachusetts, on a press set up by stephen day. Bay psalm book, 1640, perhaps the oldest book now in existence that was published in british north america. The puritan divines of the massachusetts bay colony set out to produce a translation from the hebrew that was reflective.
The decision to print a book of psalms metered for singing may seem an odd choice as the first book to be printed by the settlers of massachusetts bay, but this modest book served the larger purpose of the colonyto live within the reformed church. In 1640 the puritans of massachusetts bay colony printed the bay psalm book. Neither cottons essay nor the poems have been attended to by modern critics. Bay psalm book the earliest book known to have been printed in english in the british north american colonies. From my research, it seems that there are none to be found. In november 20, philanthropist david rubenstein purchased this. The 1700 copies of the first edition provided puritans with a plain and familiar translation designed to represent more faithfully the hebrew psalms than did the version used by the. The bay psalm book, printed in cambridge, massachusetts, by stephen daye in 1640, was the first book printed by the newly established cambridge press.
430 1302 816 609 1490 1248 62 1427 792 479 1043 941 1335 258 983 447 982 1523 1044 1234 1023 692 14 541 1290 1005 470 425 570 1338 565 509 391 617 184 52 740 344 601 391 31 241 1358 1136 545 1236 947 1230 61