INDEED, that Question, To what Rules the Poesy of the Davidic PSALMS is to be adjusted? has been as vexed a Problem to our Modern Critics, as most that they have meddled with. It were endless to reckon up the several Methods wherein Learned Men have attempted an Account of the Hebrew Poesy. Pfeiffer in his Dubia Vexota, has given us a Collection; Among which, that which Gomarus, has lit upon, looks as probable as any: And yet, the Rules invented by that Author, are so very lax, that you may according thereunto imagine, a Verso, in every Line of almost any Author in the World. I am therefore strongly of the Opinion, That the Poesy of the Ancient Hebrews, knew no Measure, but that of the unknown Music, wherein it was to be accommodated. Our PSALMS in the Hebrew, are not so much Metrical as Musical; And hence, the very Inscriptions of them sometimes intimate, that there was a sort of Melody, unto which they were adapted. It is true, the Oriental Nations at this day, have their Metered Poetry; But it is of a late Original. ⟨p. xiii⟩However, 'tis very certain, that all the skill in the World, will hardly find the Rules of that Metered Poetry observed with any exactness in the Songs of the Sacred Scriptures. There is little value to be set on the Authority, of either Philo, or Josephus, and and after them, of Jerome, who quotes Origen and Eusebius for it, when they go to resolve the Hebrew Poesy, into I know not what, Lyrics and Hexameters. And therefore it may be hoped, that our Version may be released from the Chime of a, Similis Desinentia, without being censured for Unpoetical. The Sublime Thought, and the Divine Flame, alone is enough, to challenge the Character of Poetry for these Holy Composures. And if any Beauties be wanting, 'tis owing to the lowness of the Language, whereinto a strict and close Translation, is what we are here tied unto.
INDEED, that Question, To what Rules the Poesy of the Davidic PSALMS is to be adjusted? has been as vexed a Problem to our Modern Criticks, as most that they have meddled with. It were endless to reckon up the several Methods wherein Learned Men have attempted an Account of the Hebrew Poesy. Pfeiffer in his Dubia Vexota, has given us a Collection; Among which, that which Gomarus, has lit upon, looks as probable as any: And yet, the Rules invented by that Author, are so very lax, that you may according thereunto imagine, a Verso, in every Line of almost any Author in the World. I am therefore strongly of the Opinion, That the Poesie of the Ancient Hebrews, knew no Measure, but that of the unknown Music, wherein it was to be accommodated. Our PSALMS in the Hebrew, are not so much Metrical as Musical; And hence, the very Inscriptions of them sometimes intimate, that there was a sort of Melody, unto which they were adapted. It is true, the Oriental Nations at this day, have their Metred Poetry; But it is of a late Original. ⟨p. xiii⟩However, 'tis very certain, that all the skill in the World, will hardly find the Rules of that Metred Poetry observed with any exactness in the Songs of the Sacred Scriptures. There is little value to be set on the Authority, of either Philo, or Josephus, and and after them, of Jerom, who quotes Origen and Eusebius for it, when they go to resolve the Hebrew P•esie, into I know not what, Lyricks and Hexameters. And therefore it may be hoped, that our Version may be released from the Chime of a, Similis Desinentia, without being censured for Unpoetical. The Sublime Thought, and the Divine Flame, alone is enough, to challenge the Character of Poetry for these Holy Composures. And if any Beauties be wanting, 'tis owing to the lowness of the Language, whereinto a strict and close Translation, is what we are here tied unto.
