The Odes and Psalms of Solomon

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

It is not easy to produce a satisfactory edition of a work which has come down to us in a single document, especially when the document itself is late in date, and represents not the original text, but a version of the same, made by some unknown hand. Obscurities are sure to exist in a text so scantily attested and of such an uncertain tradition. In spite, however, of these inherent difficulties, I hope that the translation and editing of these new Odes of Solomon (with their associated and already known Psalms of Solomon) will be satisfactory; for, although late in date, the text is very well preserved, and the translation from the Greek into the Syriac The editor believes the surviving Syriac text was originally translated from a Greek source. appears to have been carefully and conscientiously made. If we could come across some more traces of the newly-recovered work in the writings of the Fathers Referring to the "Church Fathers," the influential early Christian theologians and writers., or if, by good hap, we might find the lost Latin or a copy of the original Greek, much that is obscure in our presentation of the Odes would disappear. Meanwhile we have done our best with the material as we found it and as we were able to reinforce it: our thanks are due to scholarly friends who have assisted us with their keen revising eyes or their nimble emendating brains. My learned lady friends Mrs Lewis and Mrs Gibson Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Dunlop Gibson, famous twin sisters and scholars of Syriac manuscripts. have given me much assistance with the proofs: Mr Glover has criticised obscure passages and inadequate arguments: and Professor Nestle has made some brilliant suggestions for the betterment of the text, and traces of his skilled hand may be seen at several points, of which I note especially Ode 7. 12, Ode 38. 14, Psalm 5. 16, Psalm 7. 4, and Psalm 17. 31. I think it is very likely that a skilled Coptic The latest stage of the ancient Egyptian language, written using the Greek alphabet. scholar could also do something to improve either the text or the translation in those Odes which have been transferred to the text of the Faith Wisdom original: "Pistis Sophia"; a significant Gnostic text that quotes several of the Odes..

CHETWYND
SELLY OAK
October 1909