Psalter
Texts and Images
Psalms 1, 26, 38, 52, 68, 80, 97 and 109 introduce the eight groups into which most 13th-century French Psalters were divided for daily recitation. These eight Psalms open with historiated initials painted on highly burnished gold grounds by a single artist (Hand B). Most of them show King David in prayer and scenes illustrating the Psalms’ opening verses. Ordinary Psalms open with fully illuminated ornamental initials – pink or blue letters on gold grounds, or gold letters on pink and blue grounds, with green or black added in initials painted by two of the assistants (Hands 3 and 5 respectively).
David praying and sinking in water (Psalm 68)
David prays to God in the upper part of the initial S. Below, he pleads to God as the rising waters submerge him. This standard image for Psalm 68 in 13th-century French Psalters and Bibles illustrates the Psalm’s opening verse, written in gold on the right and continuing beneath the image, Salvum me fac deus quoniam intraverunt aque usque ad animam meam (‘Save me, o God, for the waters have come in even unto my soul’). The initial was painted by Hand B.