ACROSTIC PSALI BATOS AND ADAM1 - University of Divinity...3 The Psalis is a kind of Poetry cf. K. KUHN, “Poetry” Coptic Encyclopedia, A.S. Atiya (ed). Volume 6, New York: MacMillan

ACROSTIC PSALI BATOS AND ADAM1

BY

YOUHANNA NESSIM YOUSSEF

INTRODUCTION

In his significant article about Psalis,2 Yassa ‘Abd al-Masih highlight-

ed several categories of Psalis.3 The alphabetic acrostic4 psalis are attest-

ed in the Manuscript M 574 from the ninth century. Each hymn consists

of 24 stanzas.5 We have discovered two manuscripts which differ sub-

stantially from the pre-mentioned classical form. One of our Manuscripts

has four letters in each stanza while the other has only two.

This type of hymn is very rare in the Coptic texts; however it appears

frequently in the Greek hymnody as it is first attested from the fourth

century in the tomb of the young Petechon, a long acrostic poem on the

name of the deceased informs us that he left his earthly fiancée to become

a partaker of the spirit.6

1 This article is dedicated to the memory of Metropolitan Athanasius of Bani

Soueif who allowed me to study some of the manuscripts in his diocese. (On this great person cf. Gawdat GABRA, Historical Dictionary of the Coptic Church, Cairo: American University in Cairo Press 2008, p.42-43 s.v.) I am grateful to my friend Ayman Samir who kindly helped me to get the photos.

2 Yassa ‘ABD AL-MASIH, "Remarks on the psalis of the Coptic Church," Bul-

letin de l'institut des Études Coptes 1(1958): 85-100. 3 The Psalis is a kind of Poetry cf. K. KUHN, “Poetry” Coptic Encyclopedia,

A.S. Atiya (ed). Volume 6, New York: MacMillan 1991, p. 1985-1986. 4 For acrostic hymns cf.J. Grosdidier DE MATONS, Romanos le Mélode et les

origines de l’hymnographie Byzantine, Université de Lille III : Service de re-production des Thèses 1974, p.68-74.

5 K. KUHN and H. J. TAIT, Thirteen Coptic Acrostic Hymns from Manuscript

M574 of the Pierpont Morgan Library, Oxford: Griffith Institute 1996, p.1 6 G. WAGNER, “Bagawat, al Greek inscriptions” Coptic Encyclopedia, A.S.

Atiya (ed) Volume 2, New- York: MacMillan 1991, p. 326a-329a, G. ROQUET, "Les graffites coptes de Bagawat (Oasis de Kharga). Remarques préliminaires." Bulletin (trimestriel) de la Société française d'études mariales 76 (1976):25-49.

YOUHANNA NESSIM YOUSSEF BSAC LIV 2015 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

28

THE MANUSCRIPTS

MANUSCRIPT A FROM THE MONASTERY OF BAYAD 7

Manuscript A is 15cm x 22cm, and consists of 14 lines per folio, writ-

ten in one column. The endowment and the colophon are added in other

hands. The titles are written in Arabic with red ink. Some decorative de-

tail occurs on the first letter of each sentence. The foliotation is on the

version with uncial Coptic letters. For an unknown reason, the scribe

jumps from folio number ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ (253) to folio ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ (256), as

the text continues. The Coptic handwriting is done by a skilful scribe

whereas the Arabic titles are executed in much poorer quality. It is as-

sumed that the manuscript was copied from another manuscript, as it

contains many mistakes. The manuscript is dated in the marginal note and

the colophon as follows:

تم وكمل هذا االبصاليات في سنة الف وخمسماية للشهدا االطهار

تم وكمل كتاب االبصاليات الجزو الثاني من .السعدا االبرار امين

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ برمهات الى النسي بسالم من الرب امين في سنة

ⲛⲛⲛ اذكر يارب عبدك المهتم بهذا الكتاب منقريوس .قبطية

ابن نخلة الجل غفران خطاياه

خ الف وخمسماية وسبعة للشهدا االطهار الموافق سنة الف التاري

.مايتين واربعة عربية

بسم هللا الروف الرحيم

وقفاً موبدا وحبسا مخلد علي بيعة الست السيدة العذرى الطاهرة

مرتمريم بدير بياض شرقي بني سويف ال يباع وال يرهن وال

التالف يرهن وال يخرج من البيعد المذكورة بوجة من وجوة

وكلمن تعدي واخرجه يكون نصيبه مع دقال الكافر ويهوذا

االسخريوطي وكلمن لستده ورده عاجالً يكتبوه على سبيل نقله ام

قوااه يكون محالل مبارك وابن الطاعة تحل البركة والشكرهلل دايما

7 No number is given by the collection

ACROSTIC PSALI BATOS AND ADAM __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

29

الكتاب القبطي االبصاليات المرحوم منقريوس ابن 8والمهتم بهذه

هللا نفسهم في ملكوت السموات في ايروشليم المرحوم نخلة نيح

السمايية ويارب نيح نفس امرااته دميانة في فردوس النعيم في

.ايروشليم السمايية امين

These psalis were completed and accomplished in the year 1500 of the

pure, joyous, righteous martyrs. Amen! The book of the Psalis – from the

latter part of Baramhât to Nasî – was completed and accomplished, in the

peace of the Lord, in the Coptic year 1507 of the martyrs (=1791 AD).

Remember O Lord your servant who cared for this book; Manqariûs son

of Nakhlah, [and grant] the forgiveness of his sins.

The date is 1507 of the pure martyrs which corresponds to the year

1204 of the Arabs.

In the name of God the beneficent and merciful! Inalienable endow-

ment and an eternal possession for the Church of the Lady and pure Vir-

gin, the Lady Mary, in the Monastery of Bayad to the east of Bani Sueif.

Not to be sold or to be pledged elsewhere and never to change this en-

dowment for the abovementioned monastery. Whoever transgresses this

and removes [this book] from its place, will have a share with Diocletian

the impious and Judas Iscariot. Whosoever finds it removed for the pur-

pose of copying9 but returns it quickly, let him be absolved and blessed.

Grace will be upon the son of obedience. Thanks be to God forever.

The sponsor of this Coptic book of Psalis is the late Manqariûs son of

the late Nakhlah. May God repose their souls in the kingdom of heaven in

the Heavenly Jerusalem. God give repose to the soul of his wife Dimyana

in the paradise of joy in the Heavenly Jerusalem.

The monastery of the Virgin Mary Bayad10 is a well-known monas-

tery.11 It was mentioned by Maqrizi as a church of Saint Antony to the

8 Read هبذا

9 Uncertain translation, the handwriting is very poor and hard to read.

10 R-G. COQUIN and M. MAURICE, “Dayr al-‘Adhra’(near Bayad al-

Nasara),” Coptic Encyclopedia, A.S. Atiya (ed) Volume 3, New- York: Mac-Millan 1991, p. 714.

11 O.F. A. MEINDARDUS, Christian Egypt Ancient and Modern, Cairo: Amer-

ican University in Cairo Press 1977, p. 333-334.


30

south of Itfih.12 The minister of the church, priest Gad Allah, is men-

tioned also in the procession of the patriarch John XVI during his visit in

Jerusalem.13

MANUSCRIPT B

LIT 63 BAYAD AL-NASARAH IS A RECENT MANUSCRIPT

وكان الفراغ من نسخ هذا الكتاب المبارك المتضمن ابصاليات

أعياد الشهداء والقديسين في يوم السبت الثامن عشر من شهر ابيب

شهر يوليو 25قبطية للشهداء اإلطهار الموافق يوم 1658سنة

ؤبدا وحبسا مخلداً علي بيع السيدة العذراء سنة وصار وقفا م1942

ببني سويف وبياض النصارى ودرب العيد وال يخرج من وقفه

وال يرهن وابن الطاعة تحل عليه البركة امين اثناسيوس مطران

.بني سويف والبهنسا

The copying of this holy book, containing the psalis of

the martyrs and the saints, was completed on Saturday

the 18th of the month of Abîb 1658 of the Coptic year of

the pure martyrs which corresponds to 25th of the month

of July 1942 and it became inalienable endowment and

an eternal possession for the Churches of the Lady

Virgin in Bani Suif and Bayad al-Nasarah and Darb al-

‘Id should not be taken out of his endowment or taken in

pledge. The son of obedience will get blessing,

Athanasius Metropolitan of Bani Suif and Behnasa.

MANUSCRIPT C

12 F. WÜSTENFELD, Geschichte der Copten. Göttingen, 1845, p.58.

13 Nabih Kamel DAWOOD, تاريخ إيبارشية محافظة بني سويف , [An

Ecclesiastical history of the province of Beni Souef] Cairo: Diocese of Beni Souef & Bahnassa 1990, p. 188-189.


31

LIT 94 CHURCH OF SAMMANUD14

Manuscript consists of 14 lines per folio, written in one column. No

endowment or colophon survived. The titles are written in Arabic with

red ink. The first and last quires are lost. Some decorative detail occurs

on the first letter of each sentence. The manuscript suffered from humidi-

ty. The foliotation is on the version with uncial Coptic letters. The Coptic

and Arabic handwriting are done by a skilful scribe. It is assumed that the

manuscript was copied from another manuscript, as it contains many

mistakes. The manuscript is not dated. Our texts occurs in ff. 370-377r

THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE TEXTS

The texts published here for the first time are unique and contain sev-

eral features:

- Because of that particular structure, these psalis are not mentioned

by Ibn Kabar15

in his encyclopaedia The Lamp of Darkness.16

Otherwise

these psalis are dedicated to Jesus Christ and this feature is the same as

the daily psalis.17

They

- These Psalis are anonymous, while in the psalis of later periods, we

14 The city of Sammanûd is situated on the west bank of the Damietta branch

of the Nile east of Mahallah al-Kubra in the province of Gharbiah. Cf. O. F. A.

MEINARDUS, Two thousand years of Coptic Christianity, Cairo: Amercian Uni-

versity in Cairo Press 1999, p.174. S. TIMM, Das christlich-koptische Ägypten in

arabischer Zeit, Tübinger Atlas des Vorderen Orients 41/5, Wiesbaden: Dr

Ludwig Reichert 1991, p. 2254-2262. 15

For this author Samir KHALIL, "Un manuscrit arabe d'Alep reconnu, le Sbath 11253," Le Muséon 91, (1978) 179-188. Id., “L’encyclopedie Liturgique d’Ibn Kabar (+ 1324) et son apologie d’usage Coptes” Crossword of Cultures Studies in Liturgy and patristics in Honor of Gabriele Winkler, edited by H.-J. Feulner, E. Velkouska and R. TAFT, Orientalia Christiana Analecta 260, Roma 2000, p. 629-655.

16 L. VILLECOURT, “Les observances Liturgiques et la discipline du jeûne

dans l’Église Copte » Le Muséon 37 (1924) 201-280. 17

E. LANNE, “La prière de Jésus dans la tradition égyptienne. Témoignagne des psalies et des inscriptions” Irénikon 50, (1977) 163-203. Reimprimé dans Tradition et Communion des Eglises (= Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologica-rum Lovaniensium CXXIX), Leuven 1997, p. 307-338. Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF, “Research on Coptic hymnography: Psalis of the days – Composition and date” in Geoffrey DUNN, David LUCKENSMEYER and Lawrence CROSS (eds) Prayer and Spirituality in the Early Church, Volume 5 - Poverty and Riches, Strathfield, NSW 2009, p. 237-245.


32

find the name of the author; such as Sarkis, Nicodemus,18

mon,19

Hermina and Christodolus20

and many others.

- These Psalis, as we mentioned, are dedicated to Jesus Christ, where-

as from the fifteenth century we have psalis dedicated to the Virgin or

saints. As far as we know the first Psali dedicated to the Virgin is at-

tributed to John Bishop of Assiut.21

- These Psalis are very short, as four letters are grouped in one stanza.

Hence we have 8 stanzas which is the length of the doxologies.22

This

feature is also attested in the Sahidic dialect,23

and also in Greek.24

- One of these Psalis has the refrain: “our Saviour Son of God” which

also appears in the normal daily Psalis for the Sundays and the Saturdays.

- The grammar of the Coptic language is not always respected and

18 Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF, “Nicodème auteur des Psalies Copte” Orien-

talia Christiana Periodica 60, (1994) 625-633. Id., “Études d'hymnographie Copte: Nicodème et Sarkis” Orientalia Christiana Periodica .64, (1998). 383-402.

19 Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF & MARTYRUS AL-SURIANI, “The psalis of

Saint John Kame” Bulletin de la Société d'Archéologie Copte 39, (2000), 257-265. R.G. COQUIN, "Ibn Kabar" Catholisme 6, 1996, col. 1349-1351.

20. Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF, “Recherches d’hymnographie Copte (2)

Hermina et Christodule” Études Coptes IX, Cahiers de la Bibliothèque Copte 14, éd. A. Boud’hors, J Gascou et D. Vaillancourt, Paris 2006, p.381-397.,

21 Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF, “John bishop of Assiut, Manfalut and Abu

Tig” Collectanea Christiana Orientalia 5 (2008) 183-200. 22

Yassa ABD AL-MASIH, “Doxologies in the Coptic Church” Bulletin de la Société d'Archéologie Copte 4, (1938) 97-113, Id., Doxologies of the Coptic Church” Bulletin de la Société d'Archéologie Copte 5(1939) 175-191, Id., “Doxologies in the Coptic Church, Unedited Bihairic Doxologies I (Tût -Kyahk)” Bulletin de la Société d'Archéologie Copte 8, (1942) 31-61. Id., “Doxo-logies in the Coptic Church, Unedited Bohairic Doxologies II (Tûbahan-Nasî)” Bulletin de la Société d'Archéologie Copte 11, (1946-1947) 95-158.

23 H. QUECKE, “Eine koptische alphabetische Akrostichis” Orientalia 61

(1992) 1-9. 24

There is a Copto-Greek acrostic hymn which occurs in the book of Glorifi-cations starting with ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ. “Holy is the Father..” cf. ATTALLA ARSENIOS AL-MOHARRAQQI, ⲛϫⲛⲛ ⲛ ̀ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϫⲛⲛϯⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ ̅ⲛ ̅ⲛ ̅ ⲛϯⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ̅ⲛ ̅ⲛ ̅, [The book of theholy glorifications of the Virgin, the Angels, the Apostles and the saints], Cairo 1972, p 6-8.


33

sometimes the meanings requires some guesswork.

MS A.

Fol. ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅v - ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅v Ms B. Fol 163, Ms 370, ابصالية واطس مربع كل أربعة ارباع ربع

تقرى ايام وسبوت وعشية الحدود سنوي

Psali Batos,25

four strophes per

stanza, to be recited during the days

(of the week), Saturdays and the

Sunday vespers throughout the year.

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛ26 ⲛⲛⲛⲛ 27

pQSⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϣⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ

ϧⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛϥⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

I relied on You Lord. Help us, have

mercy upon us, for You are the

Guardian. Glory be to You, O our

God.

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̅

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ28

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ 29 ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛϯⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ϯϫⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

You are worthy of glory, seven

myriad times. Today let us glorify

You, to You is the glory O Lover of

mankind.

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϥ30

ⲥ̀ⲛϫⲛⲛ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ31 ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

O Jesus Christ the sinless, destroy

the power of the demons. All

reasons for sin, let them flee from

us.

25 The tone to which hymns are sung on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and

Saturdays. The name is taken from the first stanza of the Theotokia of Thurday “The bush which Moses saw in the desert” cf. O. H. E. BURMESTER, Koptische Handschriften, die Handschriftenfragmente der Staats- Und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg, 1, Verzeichnis der Orientalischen Handschriften in Deutschland, Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag 1975, p. 322.

26 Read ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛ

27 Read ⲛⲛⲛⲛ.

28 Read ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛⲛ.

29 A read ⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛⲛⲛ which should be read hp ⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛⲛⲛ “behold let us glorify … ” 30

Read ⲛⲛⲛϥ. 31

B read loi it should be read perhaps ⲛⲛⲛϫⲛ.


34

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛϯ ϥⲛⲛϣⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ32 ⲛⲛⲛϩ

ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϯ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϣⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ]

Praise is due unto You, O God,

suddenly33

in music and to You

vows shall be performed forever34

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϣϫ

ⲛⲛⲛϯϩⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛϩ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛϭ̅ⲥ̅

ϧⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛϫⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Incline Your ear to my

supplication,35

look and listen to us,

arise O Lord with might, O Son of

the invisible God

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϣⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ 36

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϣⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

To You is the glory forever. Holy

are You, O Lord, eternal Saviour,

elevate Your servant to good things

ϣⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϥⲛϯ

ⲛⲛϭⲛϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ ϧvnt

ⲛⲛⲛϥ ϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ϩⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛϥⲛⲛϯ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ

Be unto me a helper, wipe away

uncleanness from us. (Let us) be

close to Him in our distress, in

order that He save us

32 B read ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ.

33 This word does not have any meaning here but it was put to follow the

acrostic system. 34

Free quotation Ps. 64 (65): 1. 35

Ps 17:6, 31:2, 71:2, 86:1 88:2, 102:3 36

Read perhaps v


35

ϫⲛ ⲥ ̀ⲛϭ̅ⲥ ̅ ϧⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϫⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϭⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϩⲛⲛⲛϣⲛϥⲛⲛⲛ

ϯϯϩⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϣϯ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ

Sing to the Lord a new song:37

Hasten from out of the deserts:38

I

beseech you, O Lover of mankind,

have mercy upon us according to

Your great mercy.

ⲛϣⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϣⲛⲛ 39

And when we…

The author of this text changes freely from the first person sin-gular to the first person plural in almost every stanza.

The author quotes freely biblical texts. The scribe did not understand the meaning of the text, and hence

we find many mistakes. It seems that the author did not master the Coptic language, as

validated in this stanza: ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ: ⲥ ̅ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ: ⲛ ⲥⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ: ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ϯϫⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ.

As the word uyrion does not have any meaning in this context, even if the order of the vowels were to change. The other possibili-ties are “wild animal”, “outside the door.” Our suggestion is only a preposition.

The stanza starts with h should be read as hp it seems that the p is missing by distraction as this tune of the strophe will be too short if we consider the scribe wrote it correctly.

Despite the late date of the manuscript (1500AM = 1784AD), this composition has some ancient features that are not common in Coptic hymns; such as the monostrophic acrostic text. We encoun-ter this in the Greek hymn agios estin o pathr

40

Fol ⲥ ̅ⲥ ̅ v- ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ r.

37 Ps 149:1.

38 Meaning uncertain

39 B add ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ praise

40 Attallah ARSENIUS AL-MUHARRAQI, ⲛϫⲛⲛ ⲥ ̀ϯⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϥϣⲛⲛϣⲛ

ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ [the book of the service of the Deacon and hymns], Cairo 1973, p500-501. (without translation to the cor-rupted text)


36

ابصالية ادام مربع كل أربعة ارباع ربع تقرى

ايام وحدود سنوي

Psali Adam,41

four strophes per

stanza, to be recited on Sundays

throughout the year

ⲛⲛⲛϩ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ42 ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ

ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

Preserve me my God, help us, my

Lord, for You are my salvation,

righteous are you O my Holy

(One).

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϣ

ⲛⲛⲛϣⲛ ϩⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ 43

Through Your extremely numerous

grace, behold I fled (to) God (who)

delivers me. 44

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ45 ϣⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ

ϧⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Jesus Christ have mercy upon us

according to Your goodness and

be compassionate to us and make

the afflictions be away from us46

ⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛ ϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ47

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Deliver me, in Your name. You

comfort my mind, reveal Your

name, my Saviour Jesus.

41 The tone to which hymns are sung on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

The name is taken from the first word of the stanza of the Theotokia of Monday “ Adam was yet sorrowful of heart” cf. O.H.E. BURMESTER, Koptische Hand-schriften, p.321.

42 B read ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ It should be eron

43 Read ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛⲛ.

44 Meaning is not clear.

45 Read perhaps ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ.

46 Meaning uncertain.

47 For the different meaning of this word cf. Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF,

“Two notes on the Coptic Theotokias” Scrinium 5 (2009) 56-84.


37

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅


ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϩ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ϧⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ

Incline Your ear to me, and

hearken unto me quickly, then

protect us, Son of God through

Your deliverance

ⲛϯ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ϫⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛ ⲛϣ

ⲛⲛϣⲛⲛ ϩⲛⲛⲛⲛ

God the merciful, hasten unto Your

servant, (my) soul and my heart

cried out to You.

ϣⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ϥⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ48 ϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϩⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛϯ ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Make Your people as holy of this

world for Your Cross (sake) as

Good God. 49

ϫⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩϯⲛ ϭⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϣⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ϯⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ ̀ⲛⲛϩ ⲥ ̅ϯⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϯ ⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Make us perfect in Your faith,

guide us to Your bride, the second

tabernacle for You are merciful

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϣⲛ And also if we…

The psali is short, and the strophes are also short. This Psali is inspired by several previous texts such as shown here-under: our text A Psali of Sunday (normal) ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϣϫ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ


ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϭ̅ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Incline Your ear to me, and

hearken unto me quickly, then

protect us, Son of God through

Incline Your ear to me, hearken

unto me quickly, my Lord Jesus

Christ help me

48 B read ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ.

49 Meaning uncertain.


38

Your deliverance

Fol. ⲥ ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ ̅ v - ⲥ ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ v50

ابصالية واطس مربع كل أربعة ربع

سنوي51

Psali Batos, four strophes for

stanza, yearly

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩϯ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

I believed in You, Son of God,

everybody praises You, our

Saviour the Son of God

ⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϫⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥϣϯ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

For You are my salvation, have

mercy upon us according to Your

great mercy. Let Your goodness

reach me our Saviour the Son of

God

ⲥⲥⲥ̀ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ


Honour and hymns are due unto

You, O God. We also praise You,

our Saviour Son of God

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ

ⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛϣⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ϯϫⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅52

Joyfully and worthily are due unto

Trisagion. To You truly is the

glory, our Saviour Son of God

ⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

Wash (away) my transgressions,

grant me Your grace according to

the grace of Your Spirit, our Sav-

iour the Son of God

50 See the description of the manuscript.

51 The title in B is ابصالية واطس كل ربعين ربع سنوي “Psali Batos, two strophes

for stanza, to be recited yearly.” 52

This part is omitted in Ms B.


39

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥϩⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ⲛ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛϣⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ ϧⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛϩ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ̀ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϧⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ


And also let Your pity be upon us

and have mercy on us. Make me

alive for Your mercy(‘s sake), our


ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ̀ⲛ ⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ̀ⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

My sins, do not remember them, O

King of Heaven, suddenly of

heaven53

our Saviour the Son of

God

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛϣⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ⲥ̅

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϭⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

Woe to me and woe to me my

Lord, if You do not have mercy

upon me. Let Your Holy Spirit

guide me, our Saviour the Son of

God

ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϣϫ ⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϥⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ


Incline Your ear O Saviour. Grant

me a sweet time, hear my voice

quickly, our Saviour the Son of God

ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϩ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ϧⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ


Arise! Help truly us, O True

Vineyard, Son of God, our Saviour

the Son of God

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥϥⲥ̀ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ϧⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϫⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛϯⲛ

Who gave us salvation, grant me

grace and consolation. Hasten in

Your divine might, our Saviour the

Son of God

53 This strophe does not have any meaning but the author added in order to

start with the letter ⲛ.


40

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥ ⲥⲥⲥⲥϣϯ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ


The rest of these days, preserve

them, O Great Shepherd, Saviour

the Son of God

ϣⲛⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛϩⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛ

ⲛⲛϣⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ϥⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϥⲛⲛϭⲛ54

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ̅

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

Be for me hope, O Only-Begotten

Son our Saviour, honoured without

doubt (O) Son of God

ϧⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϩⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛϥⲛ

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϩ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϯ ⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϩⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ


I pray unto You with all my? heart

grant me to do what is pleasing to

You, in order to praise You, our


ϫⲥ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛⲛ ⲛⲛ55

ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛϫⲛⲛⲛ

ϭⲛⲛⲛⲛ ⲥϯ ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ


For You are also Holy, O (You)

who knows my weakness. Listen to

my voice (O) God of Jacob, our


ϯ ⲥⲥⲥ ⲥϭ̅ⲥ̅

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ

ϧⲛⲛ ⲥⲥⲥⲥⲥϩ ⲥ̅ ϯ

ⲥ̀ⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛⲛ ϫⲛ

ⲥⲥⲥⲥ ⲥⲥⲥ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲛⲥⲥⲥⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅ ⲥ̅ⲥ ̅

Give me my Lord, repentance in

Your Second Coming, for to You is

the glory, our Saviour the Son of

God

ⲛϣⲛⲛ ⲛⲛϣⲛⲛⲛⲛ If we …

COMMENTARY

54 Read ⲛϭⲛⲛ.

55 B read v “ⲛ”


41

This text presented above groups not of four letters, as in the above two psalis, but only two letters, hence this psali is longer than the previous ones.

This psali also has a refrain “our Saviour the Son of God” As with the previous two psalis, we find the frequent inter-

change between the first person singular and plural. This psali is a meditation on Christ’s name.

CONCLUSION

Despite the late age of the manuscripts, these provide us with a new

type of Psalis. It is expected that the publication of other manu-

scripts will reveal other types.

Youhanna Nessim Youssef

53 Stanton Street

DONCASTER

VIC 3108

AUSTRALIA

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


42

Ms A from Bayad f. 248v-249r


43

Ms A Bayad f. 250v-251r


44

Ms C Sammanund f. 370v-371r


45

Ms B Bayad ff.163v-164r

Documents

ACROSTIC PSALI BATOS AND ADAM1 - University of Divinity...3 The Psalis is a kind of Poetry cf. K. KUHN, “Poetry” Coptic Encyclopedia, A.S. Atiya (ed). Volume 6, New York: MacMillan