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The Holy Psalter: An Orthodox Christian Translation
A joint publication of St Vladimir's Seminary Press and St Tikhon's Monastery Press.
Nearly ten years in the making, this liturgical translation of the Psalter is the result of a collaborative effort between translators, editors, scholars, church musicians, and the communities of St Vladimir's Seminary and St Tikhon's Monastery. The goal for this project was to find a translational register that was both accurate to the original and, at the same time, felt familiar within the liturgical context in which it would be read and sung. Though grounded in a fresh translation from the original Greek Septuagint—that is, not simply a re-working of an existing English text—this translation aligns whenever possible with the existing monuments of English translations of the Psalms.
In addition to the Psalms, divided into their twenty kathismas, The Holy Psalter also includes many additional resources including: selected texts from the Holy Fathers on the Psalms, the Biblical Canticles, various hymns and prayers to accompany the reading of the Psalter, a list of Psalms according to theme, and a separate composite for the Six Psalms.
Nearly ten years in the making, this liturgical translation of the Psalter is the result of a collaborative effort between translators, editors, scholars, church musicians, and the communities of St Vladimir's Seminary and St Tikhon's Monastery. The goal for this project was to find a translational register that was both accurate to the original and, at the same time, felt familiar within the liturgical context in which it would be read and sung. Though grounded in a fresh translation from the original Greek Septuagint—that is, not simply a re-working of an existing English text—this translation aligns whenever possible with the existing monuments of English translations of the Psalms.
In addition to the Psalms, divided into their twenty kathismas, The Holy Psalter also includes many additional resources including: selected texts from the Holy Fathers on the Psalms, the Biblical Canticles, various hymns and prayers to accompany the reading of the Psalter, a list of Psalms according to theme, and a separate composite for the Six Psalms.
244 pages, Hardcover
Published August 13, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 31, 2024
This is a beautiful psalter. The translation is respectful and familiar to traditional exalted language, but with reduction of the tongue-twisting archaisms of other attempts — it makes it easy to pray and to feel like one is actually praying. The interior design is lovely, spacing made to make it peaceful to read at prayer, and the organization and content is superb. There are prayers for the beginning and end of each kathisma, reading plans, guides for psalms arranged by theme or by service of the hour. This is an excellent work and has been a wonderful companion in prayer.
January 2, 2026
A wonderful Psalter for those who want to read the Psalms according to the Greek text in a beautifully constructed and poetic translation. Inclusion of the Six Psalms, Prayers before & after reading the psalter & after each Kathisma, the weekly ordering of the Kathismata, the 9 full biblical odes, and the prayer at a wake are all wonderful additions. The cloth cover and the sewn binding as well as the larger size make for a very comfortable overall feel when reading this text liturgically. I also love the inclusion of the 3 ribbons rather than the 1 that they had in the first printing. The only thing that could be considered missing is the order of the 12 Psalms read during the prayer rule of St. Pachomius, but it is a bit niche considering what was included. St. Tikhon's Monastery never fails to excel in all that they do.
March 18, 2026
Detailed Review to follow...
This is the latest of all translations from the original Greek Septuagint, neatly arranged as per Kathisma for a total of 20 Kathismas comprising the entire 150 Psalms, as in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
This is the latest of all translations from the original Greek Septuagint, neatly arranged as per Kathisma for a total of 20 Kathismas comprising the entire 150 Psalms, as in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews