Psalms is the page-by-page reproduction volume of the original Book of Psalms manuscript to be released. Unlike Gospels and Acts, Psalms has its own font and a lighter weight script, which underscores the poetic nature of Psalms. “I believe the Book of Psalms will be one of the favorite books to see when the Bible is exhibited,” said Fr. Michael Patella, O.S.B., chair of the Committee on Illumination and Text (CIT). “Besides wanting to see the Gospels and Acts, people will want to spend time with the Book of Psalms, the prayer book of the Bible.”

“Donald Jackson is doing special treatments which hint at the ways in which we might ‘see’ Psalms if they are sung or read poetically,” said Carol Marrin, director of The Saint John’s Bible. Jackson chose colors to represent the different themes and designs to symbolize the different types of Psalms. He devised a way of weaving the two together that resulted in a unique script, colors and shading. An internationally respected calligrapher, Donald Jackson is the artistic director and illuminator of The Saint John’s Bible. He is a Senior Scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Crown Office at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, a position in which he is responsible for the creation of official state documents. From his scriptorium in Wales, he oversees scribes, artists, and craftsmen who work with him on the handwriting and illumination of the seven-volume, 1,150-page Bible.

According to Fr. Patella, when you turn the pages of the Book of Psalms, you will be able to identify the patterns representing the national history of Israel corresponding with the individual types of Psalms. The Committee on Illumination and Text provided Jackson with five themes including: Creation, Giving of the Law, Forming the People into a Nation, Rise of the Monarchy, Collapse of the Monarchy, and Dependence on God for Deliverance. They also provided the different types of Psalms which include: Hymns, Personal and Communal Laments, Thanksgiving, Royal Psalms Attributed to Kings, and Psalms Attributed to God as the only true King and Wisdom.

“People love the Psalms,” said Fr. Patella. “The way the Psalms appear in The Saint John’s Bible provides people a way to read their favorite Psalms with new eyes. We wanted to do something new and are very excited about this book.”

Gospels and Acts, the first in the seven-volume series of full-color large format books which mirror the original hand-illuminated maunuscripts is now available as well as Illuminating the Word: The Making of The Saint John’s Bible, which chronicles the process of creating this phenomenal manuscript. High quality giclee prints of the pages and illuminations of The Saint John’s Bible are also available and can be viewed online at www.saintjohnsbible.org.

Psalms is published in hardcover, 80 pages, 9 3/4 x 15, $59.95, Gospels and Acts is published in hardcover, 136 pages, 9 3/4 x 15, $64.95, Illuminating the Word: The Making of The Saint John’s Bible is published in hardcover, 240 pages, 9 5/8 x 11 3/8, $39.95. These titles are available in religious and trade bookstores or directly from Liturgical Press. Call: 1-800-858-5450; fax: 1-800-445-5899; or e-mail: sales@litpress.org. A complete catalog is also available online: www.litpress.org.