Goostly psalmes and spirituall songes drawen out of the holy Scripture, for the co[m]forte and consolacyon of soch as loue to reioyse in God and his Worde
Considered to be the earliest hymn book in English. Coverdale's
translation of the Psalter is still used in the Anglican Book of
Common Prayer. The Queen's copy is the last extant copy of this
pamphlet in the world. From the colophon: "[London] : Imprynted by
[i.e. in the shop of J. Rastell for] me Iohan Gough., [1535?]."
Extent: [4], lvi leaves. Folio markings for fols. xviii and xx have
been transposed, but sheets are in correct order. 17 x 12 x 1 cm.
4°.
Layout: signatures: [Maltese cross]⁴ A-O⁴.
Provenance: Previous Queen's shelfmark: 77.B.17(4) (Select).
Contents: Prefatory material: Title followed by dedicatory poem "Go
lytle boke" and then letter from Myles Coverdale "Unto the
Christian Reader" (ff. [1]r-[4v]). Spiratual Songes with music (ff.
i-xxxii). Several psalmes of David in English set to music (ff.
xxxii-liii). Three final hymns (ff. liii-lvi). List of Contents,
"The songes conteyned in this boke" (f. lvi v). Printed marginal
Bible references throughout.
