I. THEOLOGICAL FRAGMENTS

845. Psalms lxviii and lxx.

This fragment from a papyrus book contains parts of Ps. lxviii and lxx, written in a large and clear cursive hand probably of the period from 350 to 450. The book was of a large size, the page when complete measuring about 22 cm. across. No lection signs occur beyond the diaeresis; the usual contractions of theos God and kyrios Lord are used, but ouranoi heavens and metros mother are written in full. For the two Psalms here represented the chief uncial MSS. are ℵ, B, and R (the Verona Psalter, attributed to the sixth century), but the papyrus does not agree consistently with any of these authorities. It seems to have been rather nearer to ℵ than to B, and, as would be expected in an Egyptian text, supports none of the peculiar readings of R.

. . . . . . . . . . . .
[... of m]y [mouth, I will praise the name of God with a song, I will magnify him in praise and in]
pleas[ing G]od [more than a young bullock, having horns and]
hooves. Let the po[or] see [and be glad. Seek]
[the Go]d, and your soul shall live; for [he heard]
5 the poor, O Lord, and his prisoners he shall not despise
disdain. Let the heavens praise him [and the earth, the sea and all]
things creeping in them. For Go[d will save Zion and will]
build [the cities of Judea, and they shall dwell there,]
and [shall inherit it; and the seed of his servants]
10 [shall possess it.]
. . . . . . . . . . . .