Commentarius ad Psalmos quo singulorum argumentum, tempus et hypothesis explicandi inprimis studiose inquiritur, eorumque partes continua paraphrasi et selectis observationibus illustrantur. 6-vol. set (Complete)

Leovardiae (Leeuwarden): Apud H. A. de Chalmot, 1767. First edition (Vols. 2-6). Hardcover. f to g. Octavo. 8 1/8 x 6 1/4" (Vol. 1); 8 3/4 x 6 3/4" (Vols. 2-6). [16], 751, [1], [24]pp (Vol. 1); 805, [23]pp (Vol. 2); [2], 860, [10]pp (Vol. 3); [4], 855, [1]pp (Vol. 4); [4], 809, [1]pp (Vol. 5); [4], 846, [2]pp (Vol. 6). Contemporary full vellum with handwritten title to spine (Vol. 1); Contemporary half burgundy morocco over marbled paper covered boards, with gold lettering to spines. Raised bands (Vols. 2-6). Decorative head-, and tailpieces.

First edition of Herman Venema's commentary on the 150 Psalms of the Book of Psalms, complete in six (truncated) volumes.

The set is divided as follows:

- Vol. 1: Commentarius ad primos Viginti et Unum Psalmos (1763) (Commentary on the first 21 Psalms)
- Vol. 2: Commentarius ad Psalmos XXII-XLI (1764) (Commentary on Psalms 22 to 41)
- Vol. 3: Commentarius ad Psalmos XLII-LXIV (1765) (Commentary on Psalms 42 to 64)
- Vol. 4: Commentarius ad Psalmos LXV-LXXXV (1766) (Commentary on Psalms 65 to 85)
- Vol. 5: Commentarius ad Psalmos LXXXVI-CX (1766) (Commentary on Psalms 86 to 110)
- Vol. 6: Commentarius ad Psalmos CXI-CL (Commentary on Psalms 111-150)

The first volume was originally published in 1762, also in Leeuwarden, by Gulielmi (Willem) Coulon. The rest of the series (2 to 6) were published by Jacques Alexandre de Chalmot. The first volume in this collection is a reprint, but this time with the new publisher, of the one published by Coulon the previous year. The other volumes are all first edition.

The last volume is complete with its large folded engraved frontispiece portrait of the author (size: 15 1/2 x 10") by Dutch engraver Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780), after a painting by Bernardus Accama (1697-1756), a renown Dutch historical and portrait painter.

Flaws in first volume: Binding darkened due to damp exposure. Ex-library sticker to spine, and bookplate on inside of front cover. Clear water-staining along upper part of the first 10 leaves. Minor and sporadic age-toning / foxing throughout. Binding in overall fair, interior in good- (first 10 leaves) to very good condition.

Flaws in second volume: Binding heavily rubbed along edges, with some abrasion to leather and paper on covers. Ex-library sticker to spine, bookplate on inside of front cover, and stamp on title. Minor and sporadic age-toning / foxing throughout. Binding in overall fair, interior in good+ to very good condition.

Flaws in third volume: Binding heavily rubbed along edges, with some abrasion to leather and paper on covers. Head of spine chipped. Ex-library sticker to spine, bookplate on inside of front cover, and stamp on title. Title almost detached, but still present. Book block slightly starting. Pages rippled due to damp exposure. Minor and sporadic age-toning / foxing throughout. Binding in overall fair, interior in fair to good condition.

Flaws in fourth volume: Binding heavily rubbed along edges, with some abrasion to leather and paper on covers. Ex-library sticker to spine, and bookplate on inside of front cover. Pages rippled due to damp exposure. Minor and sporadic age-toning / foxing throughout. Binding in overall fair, interior in good to very good condition.

Flaws in fifth volume: Binding heavily rubbed along edges, with some abrasion to leather and paper on covers. Head and tail of spine chipped. Ex-library sticker to spine, and bookplate on inside of front cover. Pages rippled due to damp exposure. Minor and sporadic age-toning / foxing throughout. Binding in overall fair, interior in fair to good condition.

Flaws in sixth volume: Binding heavily rubbed along edges, with some abrasion to leather and paper on covers. Ex-library sticker to spine, and bookplate on inside of front cover. Pages with clear water-staining throughout. Pages rippled due to damp exposure. Minor and sporadic age-toning / foxing throughout. Binding and interior in overall fair condition.

Text in Latin. Herman Venema (1697-1787) was a Dutch Reformed clergyman, and a professor of theology at the University of Franeker for more than half a century. Venema is called by some an influential representative of the reformational Enlightenment, especially for his critical study of the Bible and his irenic demeanor. (Inventory #: 43195)