Psalmen Geystliche Lieder und Lobgesange D. Mart. Luth...
Hardcover
1606 · Strassburg
by LUTHER, Martin (1483-1546).
Strassburg: Theodosium Rihel, 1606. Hardcover. Good+. Pocket-sized 12mo (130 x 75mm). Pagination: [4], CCLXII, [8] ff. Signatures: [inserted 2 leaves], A-Y(12), Z(11, lacking final blank (stub) but inserted five leaves). Old German Type. Each page printed within an elaborate woodcut border of masks, putti, vessels, birds, animals and scrolling, ornament. Seventeenth-century full vellum, stamped in blind with central lozenge of crucifixion (front cover) and ornament (back cover), large remnants of leather ties; (outer edges somewhat soiled and worn, binding a bit rubbed, otherwise an excellent survival for its prospective use.) An early owner has added several leaves at the front and rear upon which are transcribed several additional psalms and biblical verses (Psalm 34, Jeremiah 3, Jeremiah 30, John 1:1, Corinthians 1:10, John 1:2). Other markings @ 1606 in this same hand on the first inserted leaf at front. By this date in the inscriptions, This psalm booklet (Dises Psalmen Büchlein) and a man Carlo from Strassburg may be making corrections at time of early press. A later date on this leaf is 1776 along with an unknown monogram or printers mark (quite reminiscent of Theodosius Rihels (fl. 1555-1608) printers mark but with different letters S & K).
During a critical period of time for the church, Martin Luther saw the Psalms not only as the central model to Christian prayer, but as a key biblical book that would spark a revival and lay the scriptural foundation for the Protestant movement. Luther said, find in it [the Psalter] also yourself... as well as God himself and all creatures (Luthers Works 35:257). The Psalms were an early focus of Luthers translations and teaching at the University of Wittenberg; there, he first published an exposition of the seven penitential psalms in 1517. In a later work, Luther classified the psalms by theme; they belonged to groups pertaining to prophecy, instruction, comfort, prayer, and thanksgiving. This pocket-sized psalm book hearkens to Luthers famous statement that the Psalms are the Bible in miniature. The psalms were a strategic book of the bible for a nascent Lutheran, and the early owner of this book seemingly poured over it and added layers of extra verse and interpretation in the blank spaces of the book. Scarce edition. OCLC locates editions published by Rihel, but this 1606 printing is not among those located. This copy unique for its early German annotations and biblical additions. We surmise they may be intrinsic to an early Lutheran community in Strasbourg or related to the Strasbourgian printers themselves. (Inventory #: D15188)
During a critical period of time for the church, Martin Luther saw the Psalms not only as the central model to Christian prayer, but as a key biblical book that would spark a revival and lay the scriptural foundation for the Protestant movement. Luther said, find in it [the Psalter] also yourself... as well as God himself and all creatures (Luthers Works 35:257). The Psalms were an early focus of Luthers translations and teaching at the University of Wittenberg; there, he first published an exposition of the seven penitential psalms in 1517. In a later work, Luther classified the psalms by theme; they belonged to groups pertaining to prophecy, instruction, comfort, prayer, and thanksgiving. This pocket-sized psalm book hearkens to Luthers famous statement that the Psalms are the Bible in miniature. The psalms were a strategic book of the bible for a nascent Lutheran, and the early owner of this book seemingly poured over it and added layers of extra verse and interpretation in the blank spaces of the book. Scarce edition. OCLC locates editions published by Rihel, but this 1606 printing is not among those located. This copy unique for its early German annotations and biblical additions. We surmise they may be intrinsic to an early Lutheran community in Strasbourg or related to the Strasbourgian printers themselves. (Inventory #: D15188)