Old Version

‘Old Version’ (1562). This is an informal name often used, from the mid-17th century onwards, for The Whole Booke of Psalmes, by Thomas Sternhold*, John Hopkins* and others, which was first published under that title by John Day* (London, 1562). It is sometimes termed simply ‘Sternhold & Hopkins’. In popularity and durability it far exceeds any other psalm or hymnbook in English history. For nearly three centuries it was the standard English version of the metrical psalms. One psalm, one hymn, and several tunes from the early editions are still in regular use. Editions The development of the texts took place over a period of about 25 years, beginning with the 37 versions by Thomas...