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Psalterium Latinum

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Commentary

PSALM LXIV (65), f. 36r.
The circular form of the composition of this picture is striking. It results from the representation of the signs of the Zodiac which are suggested by verse 9, ((8): 'They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.' The latter part of the verse also suggests the representations of the personified sun and moon. Within the circle is a mountain 'girded' by circular walls (verse 7, (6)). On the top of it the beardless, cross-nimbed Christ-Logos with cross-staff attended by four angels with wands is treading upon a lion and an adder. Below Him to the right two figures are emerging from sarcophagi (verse 3, (2): 'unto thee shall all flesh come'); and farther down five other figures are exulting and praising the Lord (verse 2, (1)). To the left below within the enclosure is the blessed man who 'may dwell in thy courts' (verse 5, (4)); the 'courts' are represented by a temple or church with curtains pushed aside to show the scales which are suspended within ('mirabile in aequitate,' verse 5, (4)). Behind the blessed man is an arbor with vines growing upon it, representing the fruitfulness of the earth (verse 10, (9)); and in front of him is an altar to which three men are driving sheep and a bullock (verse 2, (1) and 14, (13): 'thy pastures are clothed with flocks' or 'thy paths drop fatness,' of verse 12, (11)). Without the enclosure in the foreground of the picture is a sea, the waters of which are supplied from two springs gushing from the rocks (verse 6, (5)). There are groups of 'people' in front of the walls who 'are afraid' at the signs which they see (verses 8-9, (7-8)). To the left above more cattle are grazing 'on pastures of the wilderness' outside the city walls (verse 13, (12)).