Another Orthodox Psalter?

Even though I've been steadfast in the past that the Holy Transfiguration Monastery's Psalter According to the Seventy is the best available Orthodox Psalter in English, I may be dissuaded from that view by David James's The Russian Orthodox Psalter (Paradise Press, 2009). Using the Coverdale Psalter as its base text, The Russian Orthodox Psalter is the only Psalter in English which conforms to the standard liturgical (or "augmented") Psalter of the Russian Orthodox Church. All of the Kathisma Prayers, rites for chanting the Psalter throughout the liturgical year and for special ocassions, Biblical Odes, prayer rules, and instructional material which--if available in English at all--are spread out amongst many books (some very difficult to find) are now brought together.

David James was kind enough to furnish me with an advance bound copy of the work. I was delighted to see that it is nicely illustrated in comformity with the Slavonic liturgical Psalters and printed on thick paper in two colors. It's not possible for me to comment on the translation yet and, to be honest, it may take some time for me to get used to it after spending so many years with the HTM edition. It's important to note that the HTM edition is based on an LXX text printed in Russia which itself is primarily drawn from the Codex Alexandrinus whereas this Psalter confirms the Coverdale to the Church Slavonic text. The divergences are few, but not unimportant for those who swear fidelity to the Russian practice.

I have not heard word yet as to when the text will be available for public purchase. When I do, I will certainly post the information on this web-log. Rest assured this book has my wholehearted endorsement.