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The translator has, in general, executed his task with fidelity; and "where it could be done with propriety, (or where the readings of the Samaritan copy would permit it,) he has adopted,' he says, the English vulgar translation, in order to prevent any prejudices, that might be infused into the minds of the common people by uncharitable bigots. In the notes we meet with little that can gratify the taste of curious and critical readers; and his severe reflections on the articles and liturgy of the church of England might well have been spared in a work of this nature." (Monthly Rev. O. Š. vol. lxxii. p. 412.)

JOSHUA AND THE OTHER HISTORICAL BOOKS.

24. Josua Imperatoris Historia, illustrata atque explicata ad Andrea Masio. Antwerp, 1574, folio; and also in the Critici Sacri.

A work of very considerable value, on account of its containing the readings of the Syriac Hexaplar version, the manuscript of which Masius possessed. This manuscript is said to have been written in the year 606, and is the only one that preserves the readings of Joshua, as given by Origen.

25. Joh. Henr. Michaelis, Chr. Ben. Michaelis, et Joh. Jac. Rambachii, Notæ uberiores in Hagiographa. Halæ, 1735-1751.3 vols. 4to.

Of this work, the Elder Michaelis wrote the annotations on the first book of Chronicles, the Psalms, book of Job, and Song of Solomon; C. B. Michaelis was the author of those on Proverbs, the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and the Prophet Daniel; and the notes on the second book of Chronicles, Ruth, Esther, Nehemiah, and Ecclesiastes, were written by Rambach.

26. J. G. Dahler, de librorum Paralipomenorum auctoritate atque fide historica. 8vo. Lipsiæ, 1819.

27. A Critical History of the Life of David, in which the principal events are ranged in order of time; the chief objections of Mr. Bayle and others against the character of this prince, and the Scripture account of him, and the occurrences of his reign are examined and refuted; and the Psalms which refer to him are explained. By the late Rev. Samuel Chandler, D. D. London, 1766. 2 vols. 8vo.

A book above all praise; it was occasioned by the publication, in 1762, of a vile and blasphemous tract entitled "The History of the Man after God's own heart." 28. Lectures on the Book of Ruth. By G. Lawson, D. D. Lon

don, 1805. 12mo.

29. Lectures on the Book of Esther. London, 1809.

By G. Lawson, D. D. 12mo.

For accounts of these two works, the reader is referred to the Eclectic Review, vol. i. part ii. pp. 684-691. and vol. iii. part i. pp. 479-483.

30. A. G. F. Schirmer, Observationes Exegetico-Criticæ in Librum Esdræ. Vratislaviæ, 1820. 4to.

ON THE POETICAL BOOKS GENERALLY.

31. The Annotations of Michaelis above noticed.

32. A Paraphrase on the Books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, with notes, critical, historical, and practical. By Lawrence Holden. 1764. 4 vols. 8vo.

"To what class of readers this performance will be useful or agreeable, we really know not; but this we verily believe, that persons of taste, learning, or judgment, will find very little in it to engage their attention." (Month. Review, O. S. vol. xxxi. p. 73.) The public opinion seems to have been in unison with that of the Monthly Reviewers; the book has never been popular, and is to be purchased at a very low price; on which account, this notice is inserted as a caution to the student who may be inexperienced in the real value of books.

33. Critical Remarks on the Books of Job, Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles. By D. Durell, D. D. London, 1772. 4to. See Monthly Review, O. S. vol. xlvii. pp. 119-129.

34. Joh. Chr. Doederlein Scholia in Libros Veteris Testamenti Poeticos. Hale, 1779. 4to.

JOB.

35. A Translation of the Book of Job, with annotations, arguments, and dialogues on each chapter, is given in the second tome or part of the celebrated Hugh Broughton's works, pp. 246—294.

36. An Exposition, with Practical Observations on the Book of Job. By Joseph Caryl. London, 1669. 2 vols. folio.

This work was originally published in six volumes 4to. at different times. I have never had an opportunity of examining it; but Walchius says, that it is one of the best commentaries extant on the Book of Job; and that the author has investigated and explained its meaning with great diligence, and that his practical observations are excellent. (Biblioth. Theol. vol. iv. p. 487.) A late learned divine of our own country has also characterised this as a most elaborate, learned, judicious and pious work, containing a rich fund of critical and practical divinity." (Dr. Williams.) Its bulk, however, prevents it from being generally useful.

37. Francisci Vavassoris Jobus, brevi Commentario et Metaphrasi poetica illustratus. Paris, 1679. 8vo.

The best edition of a learned and useful work.

38. Liber Jobi, cum nova versione et commentario perpetuo. Edidit Albertus Schultens. Lug. Bat. 1737. 2 vols. 4to.

Of this learned and elaborate work, an abridgment was printed at Halle, in 1773, by Prof. Vogel, entitled Alberti Schultensii Commentarius in Jobum, in compendium redactus, cum observationibus criticis et exegeticis. 8vo. 2 vols.

39. Elihu, or an Inquiry into the principal Scope and Design of the Book of Job. By Walter Hodges, D. D. London, 1750. 4to. This work is written on the Hutchinsonian system, and is designed to show that Elihu was no other personage than the Son of God himself! See Monthly Review, O. S. vol. ii. pp. 219–225. 347-352.

40. A Commentary on the Book of Job, in which are inserted the Hebrew text and English translation, &c. by Leonard Chappelow, B. D. Arabic Professor in the University of Cambridge. 1752. 2 vols. 4to. See Month. Rev. O. S. vol. vii. pp. 197–205.

41. An Essay towards a New English Version of the Book of Job, from the original Hebrew, with a Commentary and some account of his Life. By Edward Heath, Esq. London, 1756. 4to.

"It is but justice to this new Essay upon Job, to observe, that the translation is in many places, very different from that in common use; and that, in the notes, there are many observations entirely new- - all of them ingenious, and many of them true." (Month. Rev. O. S. vol. xiv. p. 156.)

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42. A Critical Dissertation on the Book of Job. By Charles Peters, A. M. London, 1757. 4to.

The first edition of this work appeared in 1751. (See Month. Rev. O. S. vol. iv. pp. 401-409.) In it, the author particularly considers Bishop Warburton's account of the Book of Job, vindicates its antiquity, and shows that the antient Jews did believe in a future state.

43. The Book of Job in English verse, translated from the original Hebrew; with remarks, historical, critical, and explanatory. By T. Scott. London, 1773. 8vo.

The first edition of this close and exact translation was published in 1773, in 4to. and the commentary is particularly valuable, from the author's "great knowledge of the oriental languages, his diligent study of the original, and his complete acquaintance with the best critics." (Month. Rev. O. S. vol. xlvi. p. 376.)

44. An Improved Version, attempted, of the Book of Job, with a preliminary Dissertation and Notes, critical, historical, and explanatory. By Charles Gardner, D. D. London, 1796. 8vo.

A book of great pretensions, but indifferent execution. See an analysis of it in the British Critic, O. S. vol. ix. pp. 168–175.

45. J. Jac. Reiske Conjecturæ in Jobum et Proverbia, cum ejusdem oratione de studio Arabicæ linguæ. Lipsiæ, 1779. Svo.

46. The Book of Job, metrically arranged according to the Masora, and newly translated into English; with notes critical and explanatory, accompanied, on the opposite page, by the authorised English version. By the Right Rev. Joseph Stock, Bishop of Killala. Bath, 1805. 4to.

"We have now finished our remarks on this translation of the Book of Job, and find in it much to praise, and some things to blame. In a vast variety of passages, there is a sense brought out, striking, yet perspicuous, considerably out of the track of the common versions; yet, in most instances, close to the letter of the Hebrew. Of all the versions of the different books of Scripture which have fallen under our notice in different languages, this is the most remarkable for the novelty of the rendering; yet in general exact, having very little supplement, and keeping close in the track of the original." (Brit. Crit. O. S. vol. xxix. p. 507.)

47. The Book of Job, translated from the Hebrew, by the late Miss Elizabeth Smith; with a preface and annotations, by the Rev. T. Randolph, D. D. London, 1810. 8vo.

This was a posthumous publication of an amiable and accomplished young lady. -"Considering the age of Miss Smith, and the circunstances under which she studied the Hebrew language, her translation of the Book of Job may certainly be deemed a very surprising work; and had it not been characterised in the extravagant terms of commendation with which Dr. Randolph has introduced it to the public, it might have borne generally a more favourable report than it will gain from that scrutiny which his eulogium seems to challenge. It was evidently left in an unfinished state; and the editor felt himself bound in honour not to make the smallest correction. We have it, therefore, just as Miss Smith wrote it; and we receive it as a monument of her industry and genius, though we cannot regard it as having effected much towards the elucidation of the Book of Job." (Month. Rev. N. S. vol. lxv. p. 152. See also a similar critique in the Eclectic Review, vol. vi. part ii. p. 780.)

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48. The Book of Job, literally translated from the original Hebrew, and restored to its natural arrangement, with notes critical and illustrative, and an introductory dissertation on its scene, scope, language, author, and object. By John Mason Good, M. D. F. R. S. &c. London, 1812. 8vo.

"On the whole, we regard this work as a valuable accession to our stock of sacred literature; and we can recommend it with confidence to the biblical student, as containing a great mass of useful information and valuable criticism." (Christian Observer, vol. xii. p. 306.)

49. Henr. Middeldorff, Cure Hexaplares in Jobum, e Codice Syriaco-Hexaplari Ambrosiano Mediolanensi. 4to. Vratislaviæ, 1817. 50. Le Livre de Job, nouvellement traduit d'après le texte original non ponctué et les anciennes versions, notamment l'Arabe et la Syriaque; par. J. Louis Bridel, Professeur de Langues Orientales, et de l'interprétation des Livres Saints, dans l'Académie de Lausanne. Paris, 1818. Svo.

PSALMS.

51. Paraphrases and Annotations upon the Book of Psalms. By Henry Hammond, D. D. London, 1659. folio.

Dr. Hammond's notes are exceedingly valuable, and contain many learned observations that had escaped preceding commentators on the Book of Psalms. They are also to be found in the fourth volume of his collected works, published at London in 1684, in folio.

52. David's Harp Strung and Tuned; or an Easie Analysis of the whole Book of Psalms, cast into such a method, that the Summe of every Psalm may be quickly collected and remembered. With a devout Meditation or Prayer at the end of every Psalm, framed for the most part out of the words of the Psalm, and fitted for several Occasions. By William [Nicholson] Bishop of Gloucester. London, 1662. folio.

In this work every verse of the Psalms is divided and subdivided with great minuteness; it is wholly practical and explanatory. In his explications, the Rt. Rev. Author steers between the two extremes of literal and spiritual interpretation. The prayers at the end of each Psalm are expressed nearly in the very words of the inspired authors. Though the quaint and scholastic mode which obtains in this work is somewhat repulsive, it may nevertheless be consulted with advantage by those who cannot command other and more critical commentaries; especially as the book may be occasionally met with at a low price.

53. The Book of Psalms, with the argument of each psalin, and a preface giving some general rules for the interpretation of this sacred Book. By a Divine of the Church of England. London, 1701. Svo.

54. Martini Geieri Commentarius in Psalmos Davidis, fontium Ebræorum mentem, et vim vocum phrasiumque sacrarum sensumque adeo genuinum, adductis copiose locis parallelis, collatis etiam (ubi opus) versionibus interpretumque sententiis, et enodatis difficultatibus, cum curâ eruens. Leipsic, 1681 or 1697; Amsterdam, 1695; Dresden, 709. folio.

Geier was an eminently learned divine of the Lutheran church, and Professor of Hebrew at Leipsic, where the substance of his commentary on the Psalms was delivered in lectures to the students. It is very little known in this country; but on the continent it is very highly esteemed for its erudition and piety. (Walchius, vol. iv. p. 495.)

55. An Essay towards a new English Psalms. By the Rev. Zechariah Mudge.

Version of the Book of
London, 1744. 4to.

This work is now so exceedingly rare, that we have not been able to procure a sight of it, nor have we met with any notice of it in the literary journals of that time. How highly Mr. Mudge was esteemed by Dr. Johnson, may be seen in the character of him drawn by the latter, in Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson, vol. iv. pp. 82-84.

56. A new English translation of the Psalms, from the original Hebrew, reduced to Metre by the late Bishop Hare; with notes critical and explanatory; illustrations of many passages drawn from the classics; and a preliminary dissertation, in which the truth and certainty of that learned prelate's happy discovery is stated and proved at large. By Thomas Edwards, A. M. London, 1755. 8vo.

The design of this learned work was "to make Bishop Hare's discovery of the Hebrew metre better known; to show its truth and certainty; and to prove that, by a judicious application of it, great light may be thrown upon the poetical parts of the Holy Scriptures." (Monthly Review, O. S. vol. xii. pp. 485-487.) "Mr. Edwards was of opinion that Dr. Hare's hypothesis was rejected by many persons, partly from an over hasty determination, and partly from too scrupulous a veneration for the Hebrew text. Of Dr. Hare's system a short account is given.

57. The Psalter, in its original form; or the Book of Psalms reduced to lines, in an easy and familiar style, and a kind of blank

verse of unequal measures, answering for the most part to the original lines, with arguments pointing out the general design of each Psalm, and notes, accounting for some passages in the translation; opening and explaining also, in some places, the prophetical views, &c. [By the Rev. George Fenwick, B. D.] London, 1759. 8vo.

The object of this publication is, to show that the Psalms were written in the spirit of prophecy, with a special and direct reference to Christ and his church, in the different ages and periods of the Christian dispensation.

58. Phil. Davidis Burkii Gnomon Psalmorum. 2 vols. 4to.

Stutgardiæ, 1760.

This work "is written in a pure strain of piety, but rather too much in a technical form." (Dr. Clarke.)

59. A New Translation of the Psalms from the Hebrew Original, with Notes critical and explanatory; to which is added a Dissertation on the last prophetic words of Noah. By Wm. Green, M. A. 1763. 8vo.

This work contains "some judicious alterations in the version, and valuable criticisms in the notes; which throw considerable light on many obscure passages in the Psalms, and will cause those excellent compositions, which have been the admiration and delight of pious minds through so many ages, to be read with still more pleasure and advantage." But "the language of the translation, though correct, hath neither that force nor harmony which we find in the common version in our Bibles." (Monthly Review, O. S. vol. xxviii. p. 267.)

In 1781 Mr. Green published a thin quarto volume of "Poetical Parts of the Old Testament, newly translated from the Hebrew, with notes critical and explanatory." An account is given of it in the same critical journal, vol. lxviii. Pp. 1-8.

60. Hermanni Venemæ Commentarii ad Psalmos.

1762-1767. 4 vols. 4to,

66

Leovardiæ,

Through its great scarcity, the work is little known in Great Britain. What was said by David of Goliath's sword, may be justly said of Venema's Commentary on the Book of Psalms-There is none like it." (Dr. Clarke.) It is held in the highest esteem abroad, particularly in Holland.

61. Annotations on the Psalms. By James Merrick, M. A. Reading, 1768. 4to.

This volume is adapted to Mr. Merrick's Poetical Version of the Psalms, published in 1765, in 4to. and justly considered as the best English poetical translation extant. In the compilation of these notes he was assisted by Bishop Lowth (then Bishop of Oxford) and Archbishop Secker. "A large part of them relate to the readings of the antient versions, and propose the conjectural emendations of various writers. Many of them abound with passages, principally from the Greek authors, which justify the modes of expression used by the Psalmist; and for this part of his design Mr. Merrick was admirably qualified, by his extensive and uncommon acquaintance with Grecian literature. Some of the notes, which are the most curious and entertaining, are those which treat upon the plants, trees, and animals, mentioned in the Psalms." (Monthly Review, O. S. vol. xl. p. 374.)

62. Francisci Vatabli Annotationes in Psalmos, subjunctis Hugonis Grotii Notis, quibus Observationes suas adspersit, G. J. L. Vogel. Halæ, 1767. 8vo.

63. Mosis Amyraldi Paraphrasis in Psalmos Davidis, una cum Annotationibus et Argumentis. Editio altera, emendatior et auctior, nova Præfatione Jac. Cremeri. Traj. ad Rhenum, 1769. 4to.

64. A Commentary on the Book of Psalms; in which the literal or historical sense, as they relate to King David and the People of Israel, is illustrated; and their application to the Messiah, to the church, and to individuals as members thereof, is pointed out. By

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