Thomas Sternhold
Thomas Sternhold (1500–1549) was an English courtier and the principal author of the first English metrical version of the
Life
Sternhold was born in
Psalm translations
His earliest metrical versions of the Psalms may have been composed in Henry's reign;
Sternhold (with the exception of Psalm cxx) used only one metre, and this the simplest of all ballad measures, the metre of
Sternhold is remembered as the originator of the first metrical version of the Psalms which obtained general currency alike in England and Scotland. The Versification of Certain Chapters of the Proverbs of Solomon has been attributed to him in error. Sternhold and Hopkins's version has had a larger circulation than any work in the language, except the authorised version of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.[1] Sternhold's work forms its base. His first edition undated, but, as being dedicated to Edward VI, not earlier than 1547, contains nineteen psalms (i–v, xx, xxv, xxviii, xxix, xxxii, xxxiv, xli, xlix, lxxiii, lxxviii, ciii, cxx, cxxiii, cxxviii). It was printed by Edward Whitchurch, and is entitled Certayne Psalmes chosē out of the Psalter of Dauid and drawē into Englishē Metre by Thomas Sternhold, grome of ye Kynges Maiesties Roobes (Brit. Museum). The second edition, which was printed after his death (apparently by John Hopkins, who adds seven psalms of his own in order to fill in a blank space) added to those of the former edition eighteen new psalms (vi–xvii, xix, xxi, xliii, xliv, lxiii, lxviii). It is entitled Al such Psalmes of Dauid as Thomas Sternhold, late grome of the Kinges maiesties robes, did in his lyfetime drawe into English Metre, and was printed by Edward Whitchurche in 1549 (Cambridge University Library). Three more psalms (xviii, xxii, xxiii) are added to these in a rare edition of the growing Psalter printed by John Daye in 1561, and the complete number (40) appears in the full editions of 1562, 1563, and all subsequent ones. The only one of his psalms which remains current is the simple rendering of Psalm xxiii (My Shepherd is the Living Lord). The text of his psalms, as found in all editions after 1556, follows the Genevan revision of that year.
The Sternhold-Hopkins psalter continued in general use till Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady's New Version of the Psalms of David of 1696 was substituted in 1717.
See also
References
- ^ This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Sternhold, Thomas". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- Attribution
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wood, James, ed. (1907). The Nuttall Encyclopædia. London and New York: Frederick Warne.
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External links
Free scores by Thomas Sternhold in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- "Sternhold and Hopkins Psalter". (text only)
- Sternhold, Thomas (1705). Whole Book of Psalms. Company of Stationers. (scanned, text only)