Translating Psalm 50 for Byzantine Christian worship: A case study in biblical and patristic exegesis and the application of contemporary translation theory

This dissertation is an investigation into the principles that guide the translation of Scriptural texts for public worship. It is a case study that aims to establish definite guidelines for translating a specific category of texts for a specific context. For reasons related to its use in Byzantine liturgy, Psalm 50 was selected for the study. The specific context under consideration is that of Byzantine Christian liturgical prayer, particularly in an English-speaking setting.;The first chapter examines the significance of the Septuagint for the Byzantine Churches. It reviews many of the most recent works that have flooded the academy since interest in this topic increased steadily over the last century. This study reveals a renewed appreciation for the Septuagint even on the scholarly level. Two of the most important theses of this recent research are (1) that the Greek Old Testament is a reliable textual witness to forms of the Old Testament that were current before the Masoretic text gained the ascendancy, and as such presents an acceptable and equally authoritative alternative to the Masoretic text; and (2) that the Septuagint merits study, use, and translation as an important literary text in its own right (independent from proposed Hebrew Vorlage.;The second chapter is an analysis of some of the more challenging words and phrases in Psalm 50. These are studied by making use of lexicons and dictionaries and even at times by comparing the Greek rendering to its presumed Hebrew original. Once this basic, referential meaning of the words is ascertained, comparison is made with ten English translations. From this is determined which variants, from the point of view of accuracy, are most suitable.;The third chapter describes research on patristic interpretation pertinent to Psalm 50. It outlines the resources that identify works of the Fathers of the Church that pertain to specific topics. This part of the dissertation then discusses how these resources were handled and presents the findings. The results a re limited to patristic citations of, or allusions to, the text of Psalm 50 that are potentially relevant to the translation of the text. The yield was low, but nevertheless important.;The investigation begins with observations regarding the inadequacy of many English translations made for use in Byzantine Christian worship. This inadequacy stems most often either from inaccuracy or stylistic deficiencies. The means to remedy this problem are also the principles that the study aims to articulate. Translations of psalm texts in the Byzantine Christian tradition ought to be based on the ancient Greek version of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint. In turn, it is necessary that they take into account the interpretations of the Fathers of the Church. Finally, such translations must be crafted into English with an elevated style that is most suited to public worship.;The fourth chapter discusses issues related to the proper expression of the meaning of the source text. Here the dissertation turns to such matters as intelligibility, which is examined in terms of the debate over functional equivalence and formal correspondence; as well as style, which is examined in terms of rhythm, cadence, imagery, and appropriate religious expression.;The concluding chapter summarizes some of the main points of the entire investigation and confirms the basic principles for translation that the dissertation set out to research. Ever mindful of the expressed context by which the translating endeavor is guided, a fresh translation of Psalm is produced. This translation is the result of the application of the principles enumerated and fleshed out in the preceding sections of the dissertation.