Sternhold and Hopkins 1562 (Old Version)
Thomas Sternhold was Groom of the Robes to Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was the main author of the first English metrical versions of portions of the Psalms about 1548, which was dedicated to Edward VI. In 1549, a posthumous edition of the Sternhold Psalms was published, containing 37 Psalms by Sternhold and an additional seven by John Hopkins.
Later more psalms were added, with settings by John Hopkins, they were often bound into various editions of the Geneva Bible. The full set of metrical psalms was originally published by John Day of London in 1562, and it was first complete English language version of metrical Psalms. The Sternhold and Hopkins Psalms were very popular and widely circulated. As a separate volume they were reprinted more than 400 times between 1550 and 1640, and continued in regular use in some congregations until the late 18th century. The Psalms are quoted by Shakespeare. They are part of the treasures of English literature.
Scripture Selections
As well as the psalms they also include some additional passages of Scripture used in the liturgy rendered in metre:
- The Ten Commandments (from Exodus 20)
- The Song of the Three Children (from the Apocrypha)
- The Song of Zacharias called Benedictus (from Luke 1)
- The Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary called Magnificat (from Luke 1)
- The Song of Simeon called Nunc Dimittis then (from Luke 2)
- The Lord’s Prayer or Pater Noster (from Matthew 6)
Brady and Tate New Version
In 1696 a new version of metrical psalms was introduced by Brady and Tate. From then Brady and Tate became known as the New Version and Sternhold and Hopkins as the Old Version.
Digital Edition
The Sternhold and Hopkins Metrical Psalms and Scripture Selections from the liturgy, were digitised from the 1705 edition, with the help of MissionAssist for the British and Foreign Bible Society.
