The Manichaean Psalm Book or Manichaean Psalter is a Manichaean text written in Coptic.^[1] It is believed to have been compiled in the late 3rd century^[2] or the mid-4th century.^[3][1] Excavated in 1929 as part of the Medinet Madi library, the Psalm Book is believed to contain remnants of some of the earliest extant Manichaean literature.^[4]

History

The Psalm Book was discovered at Medinet Madi in Egypt.^[5] Like other works discovered at this site, it was written in a Coptic dialect typical of the Lycopolis region.^[6] After its discovery, it was edited and published by Charles Allberry in 1938–9 from manuscripts in the Chester Beatty collection^[7] and in the Prussian Academy of Sciences.^{[citation needed]}

Contents

It contains references to Old Testament apocrypha^[5] and references the Acts of Thomas, the Acts of John, and other Acts of the Apostles approvingly.^[8] It refers to some events believed to be derived from the Acts of Andrew.^[9] One of the psalms draws a line of tradition from Adam through Seth and Enoch to Mani.^[5] One author has described one of the hymns as containing a "deep love of Jesus".^[3]

Citations

References