Psalter?

[peregrinus2017]

Forgive me, I am no scholar, but my understanding is that although the ancient faith psalter is based on masoretic texts, where they differ it has been conformed to the Septuagint. Doing side by side comparison of differences I am aware of, that seems to be the case. Thank you for pointing out the book by Johanna Manley. I have her 'The Bible and the holy Fathers for Orthodox', and although unavoidably brief in its commentary, it has led me to many treasures of Orthodox wisdom and understanding. I was not aware that she compiled a similar book specifically for the Psalms.

 

[A Shield of Turquoise]

The Orthodox psalter I like the most is the Fr Lazarus Moore version. He edited it in both archaic and contemporary English versions. The latter is available from Anaphora Press.

Unfortunately Anglophone Orthodox seem obsessed with reinventing the wheel with the Psalter and other service texts. It's frustrating, infuriating, etc. Looking at the Ancient Faith Psalter, I fail to see how it is an improvement over other English psalters. What makes it better than, say, the Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery psalter? Every few years another little publisher or monastery releases their own version, with no explanation of why they felt the need, and no collaboration or reference to other efforts in the tiny world of English-speaking Orthodoxy.

In the case of Ancient Faith I think it's safe to say that profit and branding are key considerations.

 

[RobNJ]

Unfortunately Anglophone Orthodox seem obsessed with reinventing the wheel with the Psalter and other service texts. It's frustrating, infuriating, etc. Looking at the Ancient Faith Psalter, I fail to see how it is an improvement over other English psalters. What makes it better than, say, the Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery psalter? Every few years another little publisher or monastery releases their own version, with no explanation of why they felt the need, and no collaboration or reference to other efforts in the tiny world of English-speaking Orthodoxy.

Maybe they're doing just to annoy you... In which case, it seems to be very effective!

Me, I don't mind options.

 

[peregrinus2017]

Unfortunately Anglophone Orthodox seem obsessed with reinventing the wheel with the Psalter and other service texts. It's frustrating, infuriating, etc. Looking at the Ancient Faith Psalter, I fail to see how it is an improvement over other English psalters. What makes it better than, say, the Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery psalter? Every few years another little publisher or monastery releases their own version, with no explanation of why they felt the need, and no collaboration or reference to other efforts in the tiny world of English-speaking Orthodoxy.

I hear what you are saying. Orthodoxy is still in many ways something new and wonderful in the English speaking world. North America in particular has an enthusiasm for everything to be new and improved. I expect, or at least hope that we will settle down eventually, though I am very grateful for all the wonderful material that has and is being translated into English. I don't have much experience with different English psalters, but one thing about the AF psalter that I appreciate is that the way it is written it is rhythmically good for chanting, at least for me.

 

[Zummi]

This is the Psalter I use from the Holy Cross bookstore. Bilingual Greek and English! The Psalter According to the Seventy (Greek-English)

 

[Anhelyna]

To my mind - you use what Psalter appeals to you and you then USE it

I know someone who uses the Cambridge Psalter. He swears it's the greatest thing since sliced bread BUT to me the lay out is confusing - I'm used to a block of text not each verse starting a new 'paragraph'

Each to his own

 

[ArmyMatt]

personally, I think as far as the services go there should be one translation. but for personal use and prayer life, to each his own.

 

[-Sasha-]

It sounds like I'm the odd one out! I just read the Psalms from the Orthodox study Bible we have at home.

 

[Andrei D]

I just read the Psalms from the Orthodox study Bible

Nothing wrong with that.

But if you want to have the proper division and all the additional prayers for each Kathismata, that's when you need the dedicated one.

I don't use English Psalter so I have no idea, but at a glance this looks decent https://www.ponomar.net/data/psalter_james.pdf again from the standpoint of division in Kathismata and all the associated prayers just like in our Romanian one. Is there anything wrong with this one? Just curious.

ETA: Which you could paste your favorite translation of the Psalms in

 

[AMM]

Nothing wrong with that.

But if you want to have the proper division and all the additional prayers for each Kathismata, that's when you need the dedicated one.

I don't use English Psalter so I have no idea, but at a glance this looks decent https://www.ponomar.net/data/psalter_james.pdf again from the standpoint of division in Kathismata and all the associated prayers just like in our Romanian one. Is there anything wrong with this one? Just curious.

ETA: Which you could paste your favorite translation of the Psalms in

I skimmed through the prefatory sections of that psalter (up to the start of the psalms themselves) and I really like it (not that I'm any sort of orthodox authority). having the information about the psalms from Fathers, some prayers, etc. is really nice

I fell in love with the psalter in my Lutheran days, using first the "Concordia Psalter" (a nice, leather bound, small book with the psalms ESV translation, and chant tones, as well as accompanying prayers). After that, I started to use the Brotherhood Prayer Book (basically a Lutheran adaptation of the Book of Common Prayer, with KJV psalter and gregorian chant tones), but I loved my concordia psalter. After converting, my priest told me to switch to the Ancient Faith Psalter, but I don't like it as much. I use it, but I know several by heart in the ESV translation so it's hard for me to switch over. And I loved chanting them, but there's no chant tones printed in AFP. I should really use it more often than I do -- it's actually been a while, but in the words of Saint Augustine:

The singing of psalms adorns the soul, summons angels to one’s aid, drives away demons, dispels darkness, and produces holiness. It strengthens the mind of a sinful man; it atones for sin; it is like holy alms. It increases faith, hope and love; it shines like the sun, it cleanses like water, it cauterizes like fire, and it soothes like oil. It puts the Devil to shame and reveals God; it extinguishes the lusts of the flesh, and is the oil of mercy, the lot of the joyful, and the chosen portion of angels. It banishes contentiousness, calms all anger and cur-tails wrath; it is unceasing praise of God. The singing of psalms is like honey. It is the preferred hymn before God; it wards off every sin, and predisposes to love; it transcends all, fulfills all, teaches all, and reveals all. It exalts the soul, cleanses the lips, gladdens the heart, erects a tall pillar, enlightens a man, and calms the senses. It destroys every evil, and points the way to perfection. Whosoever has the memory and love of it, has also the fear and praise of God in his heart, and will never fall away therefrom, nor will his petition be lost, but he will rejoice before God at the last. It is silence of the mind, and the herald of peace. For the psalms pray for the future, sigh for the present, repent of the past, rejoice in good works, and call to mind the joy of the heavenly Kingdom. Often a session of psalm-singing produces a shield of righteousness, and shines the light of truth against the demonic powers. It is the comfort of elders, an adornment for the young, and the maturity and perfection of the intellect. It teaches always to pray more attentively to Christ God, the helper and benefactor, who by the lips of the Prophet ordained these psalms. To Him be praise, and honor, and majesty, blessing and radiance, wisdom and thanksgiving, power and might, together with God the Father, and the Holy Spirit; both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen