Medieval Psalter Leaf, Psalm 57

This stunning manuscript leaf on vellum from a French Psalter, was written in Northern France in the late 15th century. The Psalter is written in Latin in a Gothic script with brown ink and burnished gold initials with alternating blue, red, or white tracery and infill. The term Psalter is used to describe a volume containing the 150 biblical poems know as the Book of Psalms, used for liturgical use and which often contain other devotional material. The Psalms (derived from the Greek word psalmos, meaning song”) are short, lyrical passages written in the first person. Due to their varied content and versatility, individual psalms are often employed as prayers, both in public worship and in private devotion. A beautiful archival mat has been added with windows cut front and back for easy viewing of both sides. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a 500 year old biblical document. This Psalter leaf is part of Psalm 57.2 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. (partial) 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.

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