H.F. van Rooy, «The Headings of the Psalms in the East Syriac Tradition Reconsidered», Vol. 89 (2008) 505-525
In the first half of the previous century the headings of the Psalms in the East Syriac tradition received a lot of attention, with important contributions by scholars such as Devreesse and Vosté. In 1960 Bloemendaal published an edition of these headings. Since 1960 a number of important new manuscripts became available, as well as a translation of the commentary of Theodore and a translation of the commentary of Diodore on the first fifty Psalms. This paper deals with the light shed on the history of the East Syrian headings particularly by two manuscripts not available to Bloemendaal. The examples discussed lead one to the conclusion that 6t1, used by Bloemendaal, must not be regarded as the paradigmatic witness in all instances.
520 H.F. van Rooy
At the beginning of the heading of Psalm 99, 6t1 and 18>8dt1
omit )BNtM.
Psalm 108 is an example where 6t1, 18>8dt1 and 12t4, with
other manuscripts, have a shorter heading than many younger
manuscripts:
6t1, 18>8dt1, 12t4, 13t2, 13t3, 13t4, 16t2, 17t1, 17t3, M428, U, UP
.nwhtwKz yP)* l(d )YBQ*Md )tYdwt
Thanksgiving of the Maccabees on account of their victory.
17t2, M25, M507, M
wNSxd nwhtwKz yP)* l(d )YBQ*Md )tYdwt
.nwhYrwQSL
*
Thanksgiving of the Maccabees on account of their victory when they
prevailed over their enemies.
6t1 omits the )BNtM at the beginning of the heading of Psalm
110 (He prophesies about the dispensation of our Saviour the
Messiah).
In Psalm 110, 6t1, 18>8dt1, 12t4 and the majority of manuscripts
have a shorter heading than some late witnesses:
6t1, 18>8dt1, 12t4, 13t1, 13t2, 13t3, 13t4, 16t2, 17t1, 17t2, 17t3,
M25, M428, M507, M
.)xY$M oQwrPd htwNrBdM l( )BNtM
He prophesies about the dispensation of our Saviour the Messiah.
U, UP
L( p) oL (dwMw .)xY$M oQwrPd htwNrBdM l( )BNtM
.)NYKd )N$rwP
*
He prophesies about the dispensation of our Saviour the Messiah and he
also makes known to us about the distinction of the natures.
In Psalm 126, 6t1 has the following heading:
oYKw(M dK nwhYNwP rtB oM )M( pwcrP oM rYM)
.nwhYBBdLYB nwhL wwh
*
Spoken in the person of the people after their return when their enemies
impeded them.
18>8dt1 and 12t4 add )LKYhd hNYNB oM to this (as do 13t1,
13t2, 13t3, 13t4, 17t1 and 17t3).
17t2, M25, U, UP, M have a much expanded heading:
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