Psalter Revisions 1994 QUESTION from Deacon Larry Lottier on March 15, 2002 Dear Mr. Slavak:
As you asked in your previous answer, I'll give you a couple examples of the English Translation of the Liturgical Psalter from ICEL 1994.
Psalm 25
Lord, I give myself to you.
I trust you, God; do not fail me, nor let my enemies gloat. No one loyal is shamed, but traitors know disgrace.
Teach me how to live, Lord, show me the way. Steer me toward your truth, you, my saving God you, my constant hope.
etc.
Canticle of Zachary
Praise the Lord, God of Israel, who shepherds the people and sets them free.
God raises from David's house a child with power to save. Through the holy profits God promised in ages past to save us from enemy hands, from the grip of all who hate us.
The Lord favored our ancestors recalling the sacred covenant, the pledge to our ancestor Abraham, to free us from our enemies, so we might worship without fear and be holy and just all our days.
etc.
I found the wording strange and difficult to pray being used to the version in the Liturgy of the Hours. Where did this come from and is it an approved text or just a version to eliminate the aledged masculine references?
Thank you and God bless,
Deacon Larry
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on March 25, 2002 Dear Rev. Mr. Lottier,
Okay, I now know of what you are speaking. This is Icel's translation of the psalms, completed in 1993. Although it was granted an imprimatur, the Holy See ordered that it be revoked in 1996. It has doctrinal errors, and it is NOT approved for any liturgical use today, so accordingly it may not be used for Liturgy. Also I encourage it to not be used for any private meditation, prayer or study since it is so unfaithful to the genuine text.
Mr. Slavek
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