Psalterium iuxta Hebraeos Hieronymi

The name of St. Jerome is connected with three versions of the Psalter. Two of these -- generally known as the Roman and the Gallican -- were revisions made by him of the Old Latin Psalter previously in use. In these two revisions St. Jerome had recourse, not to the Hebrew, but to the Greek of the Septuagint. His third version, which was made at the end of the fourth century, was a translation from the Hebrew original. Hence its usual name, the Hebrew Psalter. The more I have studied the Psalter the more I have been convinced that the text translated by St. Jerome at the end of the fourth century was substantially the same as our present Masoretic text. For this reason I have always been inclined to admit a reading which agreed with that text. Also I have learned to view with suspicion any reading which was simply a reproduction of the corresponding word or words of the Gallican version. - Introduction.